The Senate, on Tuesday, kicked against what it considered as excessive actions taken by some members of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) during the just suspended nationwide strike action for new minimum wage.
The apex legislative Assembly, specifically declared that the shutdown of the National Grid by some labour unionists was more of economic sabotage than agitation for new minimum wage.
It also expressed serious displeasure over the disruption of Hajj flight by the striking workers, who barricaded the road to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Consequently, the Chamber declared that such situation would not be allowed to re-occur as laws against it would be reflected in the new national minimum wage Act that would be enacted soon after submission of bill to that effect by the executive.
The lawmakers expressed these positions while considering a motion sponsored on the strike action and new minimum wage by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour, Senator Diket Plang (APC Plateau Central).
Senator Plang had in the motion, requested the Senate to call on the Federal Government to expedite action on new minimum wage as a way of stopping the industrial unrest which was however, overtaken by sudden suspension of the strike by Labour.
However, in his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said that though it was heartwarming that the strike was suspended, but excesses made by some Labour unionists needed to be frowned at.
“One of such excesses, was the shut down of the National Grid which is more of an economic sabotage than agitation for new minimum wage.
“Disruption of Hajj flight by some other Labour unionists as said by the Deputy President of the Senate, is also not palatable being a religious exercise.
“Also, disruption or prevention of students from writing their West African School Certificate Examination by some Labour unionists during the strike was bad because the examination is not organized by Nigeria but West African Countries “, he said.
He added that such actions would not be allowed to be repeated as required laws would be reflected in the new National Minimum Wage Bill expected from the executive very soon.
He however, commended the Labour unions for calling off the strike.
“I want to thank the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress for listening to the voice of Nigerians and the international community by calling off the strike to enable negotiations to continue and we wish them well in the negotiations.
“On our part, we will continue to do our best by making contributions and at the same time awaiting the incoming Bill on Minimum Wage for us to enact for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.
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