Minimum wage: Mixed bag over Senate’s threat to sanction Labour with new law

Tuesday’s threat by the Senate to make provisions in a new minimum wage law against “extreme actions” of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) has generated a mixed bag of criticisms and approval among stakeholders, including lawyers and civil society.

NLC refutes Akpabio’s accusation, demands apologyTuesday’s threat by the Senate to make provisions in a new minimum wage law against “extreme actions” of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) has generated a mixed bag of criticisms and approval among stakeholders, including lawyers and civil society.

However, NLC refuted the claim by President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, that the strike constituted economic sabotage. It described such accusations as baseless and deeply troubling for patriots and democracy advocates.

In separate interviews with The Guardian, yesterday, the stakeholders cautioned the Senate against taking actions that could worsen the relationship between the Federal Government and Labour.

Akpabio had in a motion seeking an end to the industrial action, specifically declared that the shutdown of the national grid was more of economic sabotage than agitation for a new minimum wage. He also decried the disruption of Hajj flights.

Consequently, the upper legislative chamber disclosed that such a situation would not be allowed to recur, as laws against it would be reflected in the new National Minimum Wage Act that would be enacted soon after submission of a bill to that effect by the executive.

Category:

News 

Writer:

Abubakar Idris

Location:

Nigeria