Reject the bill, is anti people- Gombe NLC task Lawmakers
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Gombe State chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Thursday, urged Gombe state House of Assembly to reject the bill geared towards decentralising the national minimum wage.
Speaking to journalists shortly after presenting letter on behalf of organised labour, Mohammed Adamu said the bill must be discountenanced by the lawmakers, adding that it is anti people.
The group had experienced resistance at the assembly’s gate, as some of them were barred from driving into the compound.
He said, “We are here to deliver letter to Speaker of Gombe state house of Assembly in respect of a bill that is being sponsored at the house of representatives seeking to remove the national minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list. we know after deliberations at the National Assembly before it can carry any weight there will be need for concurrence by the state houses of Assembly that is why we are here to tell the speaker our position that should that thing be brought to them let them disregard it, it is anti workers, anti people.”
He added, “Minimum wage is a national benchmark as enshrined by convention 26 & 131 of the international labour organization to which Nigeria is a signatory. States are under a federation, Nigeria is a federation. We are automatic members the issue of decentralising wage does not arise.”
Also, Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Isah Abubakar lamented the treatment of security operatives.
He said, “We are really disappointed with the way the security personnel treated us here, at least we came in peace. we were not here to cause problem but we were harassed at the gate.”
On her part, clerk of the house Barr. Ruqayat Jalo, who received the letter on behalf of the Speaker, Abubakar Luggerewo promised to deliver the letter appropriately, adding that it is a difficult task.
Jalo said, “I must say this is a big assignment but I will forward it to the honourable speaker and other members of the house. In the same vein enlighten them on the matter because it has been on the exclusive list and now there is a move to take it to the concurrent list here states are now allowed to deliberate on the issues of minimum wage of their state.”
