The House of Representatives, in a session held at the National Assembly on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to shift its negotiation focus with labor unions from merely establishing a minimum wage to implementing a realistic living wage that aligns with current market conditions.
The motion was introduced during the assembly, with the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, advocating for a swift amendment to the minimum wage bill, similar to the quick changes made to the national anthem. Chinda added that if President Bola Tinubu does not assent to the amended bill, the National Assembly should override his decision.
The lawmakers also expressed strong disapproval of the actions taken by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress during their nationwide industrial strike on Monday, which led to the shutdown of the national grid. This strike was a protest against the N60,000 wage offer from the Federal Government.
A statement from Ndidi Mbah, spokesperson for the Transmission Company of Nigeria, detailed that the operators of the national grid were forcibly removed and assaulted by union members before the grid was turned off. This action resulted in hours of darkness across the country.
Following the conclusion of the strike on Tuesday, the lawmakers condemned the labor unions’ actions, claiming that shutting down the national grid was excessive and alleging that it led to loss of lives. They reiterated their call for the Federal Government to focus on negotiating a living wage rather than a minimum wage, given the current economic conditions.
Additionally, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu highlighted the Trade Dispute Act, which prohibits labor unions from shutting down critical sectors during industrial actions. The House also called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to undertake a downward review of the electricity tariff.
