By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Y. Suleiman has assured the Organized Labour in Bauchi State that he will take their demands on the proposed bill to move minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to concurrent list at the National Assembly, to appropriate channels.
He was speaking when he received members of Organized Labour in the State who marched to the Assembly in protest against the proposed Bill at the National Assembly.
The Speaker who described the institution of the organized labour as important that the lawmakers hold with high esteem, said the Assembly always consider the welfare, progress and development of the teaming populace of the State as top priority.
He said that, “Even though the action of our senior colleague in the National Assembly is in line with his constitutional requirements and responsibility, however, it is not out of place to consult widely before embarking on any mission or action that touches the life of any citizen, let alone an institution as vast the organized labour that has a constitutional backing, global outreach and recognition”.
The Speaker added that, “The message you have delivered is loud and clear and we shall do our utmost best along with our fellow colleagues across the Federation to ensure the workers are adequately protected and well catered for.”
Abubakar Suleiman expressed the serious concern of the State Assembly about the issue of frequent omissions in payments of salaries and pension in the State, saying they have mandated relevant committees to swing into action and have discussed with the Governor who expressed his concern and commitment to see the lingering issues are brought to an end.
He also told the organized labour that the issue of the minimum wage bill is a constitutional one and will not be concluded at the National Assembly alone without giving fair hearing to the critical stakeholders.
The Speaker therefore advised the Labour to keep an eye so that when the matter come up for public hearing, they would make their position known which will determine whether to continue with the Bill or otherwise.
Earlier speaking, State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress Comrade Danjuma Saleh who led the protesters, said the purpose of their visit to the House is to convey the message of workers’ displeasure on the move to transfer national minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to concurrent legislative list through a Bill sponsored by Rep Garba Datti Ahmed at the National Assembly.
He stated that “Mr Speaker, the national minimum wage as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is in line with the global standard and backed by ILO Convention to which Nigeria is a signatory from 1961 to date”.
The Labour Leader sod that, “The organized labour will not standby and watch our hard fought legitimate right being bastardized and jettisoned. We shall apply all available means with the ambit of the law including national strike to drive home our demands.”
The Labour leader urged the Speaker being the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria to take their message across his colleagues across the country as the matter must come down to state assemblies since it involves constitutional amendment.
