• Considers legislation to prevent recurrence
• Group, ex-Reps say strike condemnable, selfish 

The Senate has expressed displeasure at the excesses of some labour unionists during the nationwide strike for a new minimum wage on Monday.

The red chamber declared that the shutdown of the national grid and the disruption of Hajj flights by unionists were more of economic sabotage than agitation for a new wage.

It consequently declared 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.

Meanwhile, a former House of Representatives member from Jigawa State, Mohammed Abubakar, said the strike was condemnable and aimed at Labour leaders’ selfish ends.

Also, Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI) accused the NLC and TUC of holding the entire country to ransom for the benefit of a tiny set.

Senate’s grouse against the alleged excesses of the unionists during the now-suspended strike came through a motion on the strike action and new minimum wage by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour, DiketPlang (APC Plateau Central).

Plang, in the motion, requested the Senate to call on the Federal Government to expedite action on the new minimum wage as a way of stopping further industrial unrest.

But President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said though it was heartwarming that the strike had been suspended, the excesses by some labour unionists needed to be condemned.

“One of such excesses was the shutdown of the national grid which is more of an economic sabotage than agitation for new wage.

“Disruption of Hajj flight by some other unionists, according to the Deputy President of the Senate, is also not palatable, being a religious exercise. Also, prevention of students from writing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) by some labour unionists during the strike was bad because the examination is not organised by Nigeria, but by West African countries,” he said .

The former Jigawa lawmaker condemned the strike, which was relaxed yesterday for one week, for introducing more hardship.
He said, “They did not manage the battle well. Their bargaining did not have a human face. They did not think of the masses they were fighting for. Now, they have relaxed the strike for one week. This is agreed to achieve their selfish goals.

“If labour leaders are allowed to have their way, there will be unprecedented inflation in this country.”

DWI condemned the labour unions’ “selfish and reckless” demands, warning that their actions would further exacerbate Nigeria’s dire economic situation.

The group, in a statement by its Director of Strategic Communications, Ismaila Ali, noted that the strike caused widespread hardship, with millions of Nigerians struggling to access basic services and make ends meet.

It urged the government to stand firm and prioritise the welfare of the majority, rather than cave in to the demands of a vocal minority.

Ali said, “It is unconscionable that a tiny fraction of the population, less than one per cent, is holding the entire country to ransom, causing untold hardship and suffering for the majority. This is a stark reminder of the dangers of selfishness and the need for collective responsibility.”

DWI called on the labour unions to consider the long-term effect of their actions and engage in constructive dialogue with the government.

It urged all stakeholders to prioritise the welfare of the nation and engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the crisis.