The House of Representatives has passed the thirty thousand (#30,000) National Minimum Wage bill. The Speaker, Dogara unequivocally declared that there were obvious reasons why the House had to give accelerated consideration to this very crucial Bill, stressing that it is a Bill that is long overdue.
The Speaker said it was also expedient to pass the bill expeditiously because the National Assembly will need to go on a short recess for the purpose of the General Elections, which is less than three weeks from now.
“More importantly, the consideration and passage of this Bill is equally exigent because our country is at the brink of a national industrial crisis that we can least afford at this time.
“At the slightest opportunity, the entire workforce in the country could be called out by Labour leaders to resume the strike action that was recently put on hold without any further notice. The effect that such a scenario can have on the ongoing electioneering process is better imagined than experienced. There is no doubt, therefore, that the entire nation is waiting and looking up to the National Assembly to do the needful with the promptitude it deserves.
“In view of the foregoing, the House is approaching this exercise with a very high sense of duty, responsibility and loyalty to our nation,” Dogara said. He commended Nigerian workers and opined that the National Assembly is aware of and shares in their pains, patience and sacrifices as regards the issue of the National Minimum Wage.
