Bismillahi.
Members of the House of Representatives warned on Thursday that a nationwide strike by workers over low wages could force the country’s economy back into recession.
They urged the Federal Government to consider an increase in wage to N30,000 as the new National Minimum Wage to avert an industrial action by workers.
The current minimum wage of N18,000 came into effect in 2011.
However, seven years after, the lawmakers said in Abuja that no Nigerian worker could survive on a monthly wage of N18,000.
The members, at a session presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, passed a resolution urging the government to implement its wage review plans immediately amid the threats of a nationwide strike by labour unions.
The motion was moved by a former oil and gas union leader, Mr. Peter Akpatason, a member of the All Progressives Congress from Edo State.
Akpatason had informed the House about how the government appeared unwilling to push the wage review plans.
He said that an agreement by the government and labour unions to begin the process was not being implemented.
He said that an agreement by the government and labour unions to begin the process was not being implemented.
Akpatason’s motion read partly, “The House is cognisant of the tripartite agreement between the Nigeria Labour Congress, the National Employers Consultative Association and the Federal Government to set up a joint review team to study and recommend an appropriate rate to the government.
“(We are) concerned that despite the labour unions having submitted names of their nominees and made several requests for commencement of the review process, the government has yet to respond positively to the requests.
“As such, an upward adjustment of the rate of the minimum wage will have similar positive effects on the nation’s economy.
“Concerned that a combination of high inflation and weak Naira exchange value have eroded the purchasing power of fixed income earners in the country, who happen to be the breadwinners of millions of jobless and aged dependants.
“Convinced that any nationwide strike embarked upon by workers at this time is capable of rolling back recent economic gains, thereby returning the nation’s fragile economy into recession that will further exacerbate the suffering of the masses.”
Lawmakers specifically urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “direct the Minister of Labour and Employment (Dr. Chris Ngige) to commence forthwith the process of negotiating an upward review of the current minimum wage rates.”
Debating the issue, lawmakers agreed that N18,000 was no longer realistic, suggesting at least N30,000 as the new minimum pay cheque.
