Senate Stands Up for Workers’ Rights, Rebukes National Grid Closure as Anti-Labour Move

By: Nwakaji Peace Martins

The Senate has condemned the “excessive actions” committed by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) during their recently suspended nationwide strike to advocate for a new minimum wage.
It specifically stated that the shutdown of the national grid was more of economic sabotage than a push for a new minimum wage. It also criticized the disruption of Hajj flights. As a result, it declared that such occurrences would not be tolerated in the future, as laws against them would be included in the new National Minimum Wage Act that would be implemented shortly after the submission of a bill by the executive.
The Senate’s disapproval of the alleged oversteps of the labor unions was highlighted in a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Committee on Labor, Diket Plang (APC Plateau Central). He urged the Senate to call on the Federal Government to expedite the implementation of the new minimum wage as a means of preventing further industrial unrest, which was, however, halted by the sudden suspension of the strike by labor. In his contribution, Orji Uzor Kalu proposed a minimum wage of N90,000 and urged the Senate to engage separately with the Federal Government and the unions to resolve the ongoing deadlock.

Kalu described the shutdown of the power grid as ‘a bold move,’ indicating that it could take up to four days to restore it. “Let us send a Senate delegation to the Federal Government and the organized labor with the proposal of N90,000, and all parties must agree to it. “Shutting down the national grid, Mr. President is no easy task, and it may take three to four days for it to be restored. The Federal Government and the organized labor must be advised to reach an agreement. Although it may be challenging for the private sector to comply, they must find a way.”
In his remarks, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, acknowledged that the strike had been suspended, but emphasized the need to address the excesses committed by some labor unionists. He stated: “One such excess was the shutdown of the national grid, which amounts to economic sabotage rather than a demand for a new minimum wage. “The disruption of Hajj flights by other labor unionists, as mentioned by the Senate Deputy President, is also regrettable, considering it is a religious practice. “Furthermore, the disruption or prevention of students from taking their West African Senior School Certificate Examination by certain labor unionists during the strike was unfortunate, as this examination is not conducted by Nigeria but by West African countries.”

He emphasized that such actions would not be tolerated in the future, as the necessary laws against them would be included in the new National Minimum Wage Bill expected from the executive imminently. He commended the labor unions for suspending the strike. “I would like to express my gratitude to the NLC and the TUC for heeding the voices of Nigerians and the international community by suspending the strike to facilitate ongoing negotiations, and we wish them success in these negotiations. “On our part, we will continue to make our contributions and await the imminent Minimum Wage Bill for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he stated.
On the other hand, the House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly appeared deserted as most offices were locked, with only a few sergeant-at-arms and journalists present. Earlier in the day, House members, along with senior management staff, had gathered for the day’s plenary session. However, they dispersed shortly after.
Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi Jnr, explained to Daily Sun in a phone conversation that the plenary could not proceed due to concerns about the quorum. The House requires 120 members, which is one-third of the total membership, to form a quorum. “The Speaker was present at the Parliament and ready for the plenary to take place. The leadership and administrative staff were also prepared. However, there were concerns about achieving a quorum due to members being on constituency visits across the country and not all having returned. The Speaker always insists on following the rules by the book.”