The House of Representatives has called for the prosecution of labour leaders responsible for shutting down critical infrastructure during the industrial action.
The labour leaders had embarked on a nationwide strike on Monday to press home its demand for new minimum wage.
To achieve its aim however, the leadership of organised labour shut down the country’s national grid and all the nation’s airports, before it subsequently suspended the strike on Tuesday.
However, the Spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi, in a statement issued Tuesday expressed concern about the direction of the strike action before its suspension, and what it portends for the future.
He stated: “In the same vein, we observed with concern, the direction of the strike action before its suspension, and what it portends for the future.
“Importantly, the shutdown of critical infrastructure, such as the national grid, constitutes economic sabotage and is detrimental to the well-being of our country. Those responsible for these actions must be held accountable.”
The House also cautioned the federal government against increasing the minimum wage beyond what the country’s economy could sustain.
It noted that the call became imperative to avoid unintended outcomes such as inflation, layoffs, and other adverse economic consequences.
It said: “While the Green Chamber is in full support of the call for improved wages and working conditions, there is great need to exercise caution in increasing the minimum wage beyond what our economy can sustain, to avoid unintended outcomes such as inflation, layoffs, and other adverse economic consequences.
“Thus, we restate the importance of approaching this issue from a balanced perspective to ensure long-term stability and prosperity for all Nigerians.”
“We also find it troubling that the leadership of organised labour, majority of whom live far above the means of the average Nigerian, would engage in actions that exacerbate the suffering of ordinary citizens.
“It is necessary therefore, to state that while industrial actions and dissent are fundamental rights within our democratic space that must be protected, the manner in which Labour conducted itself during the just-suspended strike, largely shows a lack of empathy for Nigerians.
“Is the objective of the leadership of the unions to compel the government to implement a living wage or to inflict pain on Nigerians?”