The Senate has pledged to promptly review the new National Minimum Wage Bill upon receiving it from the Executive Arm of the government. This commitment is part of their efforts to enhance the well-being of Nigerian workers and foster industrial harmony.
Senator Diket Plang, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour, and Productivity (APC Plateau Central), expressed this stance in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday. Senator Plang assured Nigerians that the 10th Senate and, by extension, the 10th National Assembly, remain dedicated to improving workers’ living conditions and addressing the prevailing poverty levels in the country.
He said, “Efforts of the Federal Government and the Organized Labour for agreeing , to set in motion, necessary machinery to review the current Minimum Wage in Nigeria as contained in the memorandum of understanding signed by the negotiating parties , are commendable .
“The Senate Committee on Employment , Labour and Productivity under my chairmanship , is prepared to give expeditious attention to the passage of a new Act, once negotiation on the matter is concluded and such bill transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment.”
He also commended the federal government for taking proactive steps to avert the proposed nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and their affiliates.
The federal lawmaker however cautioned both parties in the dispute not to renege on agreements reached.
He said, ” Nigerians and particularly members of this committee , are happy that the then looming industrial unrest , was averted by memorandum of understanding entered into by the federal government , the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) and the Trade Union Congress ( TUC )
” However , all the parties involved , should avoid reneging on any of the agreement reached”, he said .
The committee chairman said his committee respects the International Labour Organisation ( ILO) principle of decent work and will take necessary legislative action to support efforts that will improve the working conditions of Nigerians including payment of living wage as enshrined in the decent work agenda.
