Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen has opened up following the meeting between leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) and the organised labour.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the NASS leadership held a dying minute meeting with leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Sunday with the view to avert the industrial action, which commences today.
“As part of our efforts to intervene between the Executive arm of the Federal Government and the organized labour, we, the leaders of the National Assembly, met with them today, especially in view of the planned nationwide industrial action by the latter.
“We appealed to the organized labour to see reason with the government and shelve the planned industrial action.
“I also reiterated my stand that the government could eradicate corruption in public offices by paying the workers a ‘living wage.’ But we must admit that the government cannot fix all the perennial issues concerning wages and salaries all at once.
“We thanked the organised labour for accepting to attend the meeting, to assure Nigerians and the government that all hope is not lost,” Tajudeen wrote via his officially Facebook page shortly after the meeting.
Meanwhile, in a statement jointly signed by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Senate Spokesman and Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., House Spokesman, the NASS disclosed looking to engage both parties in constructive dialogue and explore a variety of solutions in addressing the issues at hand.
The statement reads: “The National Assembly acknowledges the announcement by Organised Labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to commence an indefinite strike action from Monday, June 3, 2024, nationwide.
“The decision followed the deadlock between the Federal Government and the Labour Unions in agreeing on a new national minimum wage and reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs.
“As a responsive parliament, the leadership of the National Assembly, comprising the President of the Senate, H.E. Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, is taking proactive steps to mediate and avert the impending industrial action, which would have severe repercussions on the populace and economy.
“From information available to us, the National Assembly notes that both parties have tenable reasons for their respective positions.
“In view of this, the National Assembly Leadership and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity respectively, Senator Diket Plang, and Rep. Adegboyega Adefarati, are looking to engage both parties in constructive dialogue and explore a variety of solutions in addressing the issues at hand.
“The 10th National Assembly is committed to ensuring that the interests of all parties are fairly represented.
“We further urge all stakeholders to remain patient and co-operative as we work diligently to find a mutually acceptable resolution in the best interest of the country”.
Speaking with leadership of NASS, organised labour said: “We don’t have the right to call off the industrial action approved by our Organs . Thus, the action will continue while we will have a meeting with our organs to relate to them your proposals”.