The Senate, on Wednesday, called for an emergency meeting with the leadership of the organised labour over the indefinite strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
As a result of the industrial action that commenced on Tuesday, many economic activities have been grounded across the country.
Worried by the situation and the adverse effect on Nigerians, the upper chamber urged organised labour to immediately halt the strike in the national interest. They also resolved that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the leadership immediately summon a meeting between the NLC/TUC.
The two-pronged solution in the public interest, they stated, is to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
In the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomole expressed concern over the way the police managed the protest. Recalling his brutalisation by the police as an activist, he asked the Senate to condemn acts of brutality against the protestants against the Federal government.
He further appealed to the government to honour its obligation and ensure agreements reached are implemented and ensure that the 35 per cent is upheld.
The lawmaker also asked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to fish out all the perpetrators particularly because no one should exert the right to mete out jungle Justice on anyone.
Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, announced that the leadership of the National Assembly will be intervening immediately.
The resolution was reached after the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, through a motion of urgent national importance urged the leadership of the National Assembly to urgently address the matter.
Lawmakers were divided in the debate as some disagreed with the reason behind the strike and urged the government to file for contempt against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for allegedly disobeying the court order against the strike, though the labour unions have since said they were not served court notice.
Other lawmakers appealed that the House should be neutral in dealing with the matter.
The labour unions embarked on a nationwide strike on Tuesday over what they described as an assault on NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, the Imo State capital on November 1, 2023 when he was about to lead a protest against alleged anti-labour policies of the Governor Hope Uzodimma-led administration.