“We Have Brokered Truce Between FG, Organized Labour” –  National Assembly,  Just As Strike Begins

By Ayodele Oni

The National Assembly has announced that its mediation between Federal Government and organized labour about the strike notice by the workers unions, which commenced on Monday, ended on a positive note.

Although the strike called by the organized labour has not been called off, there is an assurance that it will be called off in the next few days according to the legislative chamber.

It explained that inability to reach out to other organs of the organized labour after the prolonged meeting, necesitated the commencement of the strike.

A joint statement by spokespersons for the senate, Yemi Adaramodu and House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi Jnr stated that

“In a significant development, a mediation meeting facilitated by the National Assembly between the Federal Government and Organized Labour has ended on a positive note.

“The meeting which held late Sunday at the Senate, was at the instance of the National Assembly Leadership, as part of efforts to forestall the effects of a nationwide strike action at this time.

“At the meeting, stakeholders noting that the position of Organized Labour is valid given the general economic situation in the country, agreed on the need for on-going negotiation to continue, allowing for continuous engagement on the issue of wages.

“In his remarks, the President of the Senate cautioned, ‘While addressing the legitimate concerns of Organized Labour is imperative, we must be mindful that an unsustainable wage increase could trigger inflationary pressures and potentially lead to layoffs. It is crucial that our approach balances the need for fair wages with the overall economic stability of the nation.’

“Consequently, Organized Labour gave the National Assembly Leadership a period of Eight (8) weeks to engage with stakeholders from the Executive.

“The Labour Leaders however, declined to call off the nationwide strike action in the immediate as they requested more time to consult their respective National Executive Councils (NEC), and organs, in adherence to the Constitution of their Unions.

“Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, remarked: ‘I am sure some would recall what I said during the Independence Anniversary lecture, that one thing that this government and this country can do to eliminate corruption in the long-run is to embrace a ‘living wage.’

‘There are no two ways about it. But we should also be mindful that the issues of numerous decades cannot be repaired within one day. It will be a gradual process.’

“Among other resolutions reached at the meeting; the Federal Government committed to the immediate implementation of all previous agreements with Labour as authorized by the President.

“These agreements include the recent Wage Award announced by President Bola Tinubu and the bonus implemented by Government as negotiated by the previous Administration (Amounting to N72,000).

“Government further committed to expediting the ongoing nationwide roll-out of conversion to LNG-operated vehicles and address all challenges relating to the supply chain to bring immediate succor on transportation to Nigerian workers.

“The leadership of the National Assembly was asked to engage and brief the President on the position of Labour and the need to consider a marginal increase in the interim, to accommodate the position of Labour.

“Organized Labour were also charged to deepen advocacy with State Governments and organized private sector to ensure viability and sustainability of the anticipated minimum wage increase.”