WARNING AGAINST REDUCTION OF WORKING DAYS

 The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has warned  governors against reduction in remunerations and hours of work for workers. In a statement issued by Mr Samuel Olowokere, Deputy Director Press in the ministry, Ngige stated the caution become vital to repair commercial harmony and prevent breakdown of law and order. He stated the warning followed protracted commercial crisis regarding the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), alternate Union Congress (TUC) and Nasarawa  state authorities. The minister stated that the step is in line with the powers invested on him through segment five(1) and (2) of the exchange Dispute Act, legal guidelines of Nigeria, 2004. He said this is also predicated in a letter to  him by Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state for labour conciliation by the ministry. Dr. Chris Ngige The minister stated that all parties have been invited for an essential assembly on Wednesday by  2 p.m. at the Ministry of labour. He stated that “sequel to this, I hereby direct the unions to postpone the proposed picketing of government offices “I enjoin all parties to keep the status quo  pending the outcome of the assembly meant to clear up the problems in dispute. `In addition, to keep away from similarly escalation of disputes of this type everywhere in the states of the federation, state governments are hereby suggested to always negotiate any problem that touches on the salaries and wages of employees. “which will ensure that they achieve a Collective Bargaining agreement (BCA) earlier than these remunerations are tampered with. “I desire to add for the avoidance of doubt that the difficulty of minimum wage flows out from the minimum salary Act, 2011, ”he said. Ngige said the regulation of the land must be respected by all in each public and private institutions. He stated that the problem of arbitrary  reduction in the hours of work was in opposition to the global Labour organization (ILO) regulation; convention 1, which have been followed and domesticated  in Nigeria. He stated  that the regulation prescribes 8 hours of work in a day and now not greater than forty hours in every week. Ngige pointed out that the warning had become essential to avoid  industrial relations disputes that might be prevented via proactive action.