Senate Stands Down Debate on Labour Bill
Our campaign not against N/Assembly -- NLC
From Kola Ologbondiyan and Juliana Taiwo in Abuja
The much-awaited debate on the Trade Union Act (Amendment) did not begin yesterday as expected as the Senate stood down debate on the bill till next Tuesday.
Also stood down was the Trade Disputes (Essential Services) Act (Amendment) Bill.
The standing down of the bills coincided with clarifications by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday that its campaigns to stave off passage of the Labour (amendment) Act is not directed against the National Assembly, but the Executive arm of government.
The two bills had been listed on the Order Paper for second reading and consideration before they would be referred to the appropriate committee.
The Senate Leader, Senator Dalhatu Tafida, had moved to lead debate on the bill when Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Daniel Saror (ANPP, Benue), moved that the bill be stood down "in our own interest."
Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, said that, "we did agree that we would have notice in respect of the business of subsequent days. I remember that on Wednesday, the Order Paper indicated for today and the Trade Union Act was not on the list. The bill is so important that we need a full house to deliberate on it. I therefore want to align myself with Saror."
Senate President Adolphus Wabara, however, disagreed on the point "that we need full house. What we need is a full majority," but Mamora insisted, "I'm saying that we were not put on notice."
Tafida, however, noted, "we mentioned it, if we want to be sincere," while Wabara recognised the Senate Committee on Public Accounts Chairman, Senator Mamman Ali, who explained that "some of us (senators) have overworked ourselves considering the efforts put into the power sector bill. Since it is the general wish that we find a better day, we can stand it (bill) down."
Wabara then remarked that, "we were all put on notice but it's a different issue that we are not ready. If it's the wish of the Senate that we leave the bill till the next legislative day (Tuesday)... and it was carried by a voice vote without dissent."
Meanwhile, the NLC has reiterated its position that the on-going campaign against the passage of the Amendment Act on labour reforms by the Congress and its affiliates is against the Executive and not the National Assembly.
Acting General Secretary of NLC, Comrade Owei Lakemfa said in Abuja yesterday that the reaffirmation became necessary following recent media reports and blackmail being peddled by some agents of the Executive arm of government, which tend to suggest that the on-going campaign by the NLC is targeted at the National Assembly.
"Congress is not and cannot be against the National Assembly over the Bill. On the contrary, the NLC's engagement of the National Assembly is underpinned by an abiding faith in the capacity of the Assembly to act with fairness in line with their mandate as representatives elected and sworn to defend the people," Lakemfa said in a statement.
Meanwhile, a political party, the Progressive Action Congress (PAC) has expressed reservations over attempt to outlaw the NLC and decentralise organised labour.
The PAC said in a statement in Abuja yesterday that despite public condemnation by majority of Nigerians, the National Assembly and President Obasanjo are bent on testing the will of the people on whose mandate they claim to be ruling the country.
The statement signed by the organisation's National Chairman, Chief A. C. Nwodo, said the move is an attempt to decentralize and weaken the labour movement as a further ploy to consolidate fascism and dictatorship in 21st century Nigeria by the PDP-led government.
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