May Day: Saraki Calls For Review Of  Minimum Wage, Other Demands

The President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a panel to review the wage demands of Nigerian workers.

Saraki made this known while he addressed workers at Eagles Square, Abuja, venue for the 2017 May Day Celebration.

The panel according to the Senate President will address all issues affecting Nigerian workers, which includes, increased wages, arrears of pension, promotion and allowances.

Saraki expressed the readiness of the National Assembly to play its part in ensuring that workers get their dues.

A statement by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, quoted Saraki as saying, “Government must set up a high-powered committee representing all stakeholders who have the ability to engender confidence across board. They must be given clear terms of reference and realistic time to conclude their work and make recommendations.

“We in the National Assembly are ready to play our part to ensure the appropriation of necessary funds and enactment of appropriate laws to back up the resultant policies.”

Saraki commended the workers for their patience, understanding and co-operation to the Administration since its inception, “particularly at this period of economic challenge, stating that their positive attitude will not be taken for granted.”

He disclosed that the National Assembly members had on their own increased the proposed provision in the 2017 budget being worked on to take care of pension of retired workers.

The Senate President further assured the workers that the legislatures could still make provision in the 2017 budget to tackle financial implication of redressing arrears of promotion and allowances.