The Senate on Friday, October 6, said it would give the proposed new minimum wage bill from the Executive arm of government expeditious consideration towards ensuring improved welfare for Nigerian workers and industrial harmony in the country.
The Chairman Senate Committee on Employment, Labour, and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang (APC – Plateau Central), disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.
Senator Plang assured Nigerians that the 10th Senate and by extension, the 10th National Assembly, is committed to improving the living conditions of workers in the country and tackling poverty.
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 commended the Federal Government on the proactive actions taken to avert a nationwide strike last week Tuesday but warned parties involved, 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 following a Memorandum of Understanding entered into by the Federal Government, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
“However, all the parties involved should avoid reneging on any of the agreements reached.”
The committee, he added, is committed to 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 Nigerian workers including payment of living wage as enshrined in the decent work agenda.