.jpeg "Labor unions are urged by Rep. Abbas not to go on strike.")
Abbas promised that the house will work with and assist the Executive to address the nation's current economic suffering in his opening remarks at the start of plenary on Tuesday.
The legislator urged the union to take into account existing efforts to strengthen the economy, explaining that going on strike will only make the situation worse for all Nigerians.
The union advocated a sustainable minimum wage and palliatives for citizens in response to the elimination of the gasoline subsidy and the ensuing economic problems.
A strike will start on Wednesday at midnight if the union's ultimatum, which is set to expire in 21 days, is not met.
Abbas claims that in our capacity as the representatives of the people, we participate equally in the suffering of our people during these extremely trying times.
"However, I'd want to make a request to the NLC to take into account the numerous measures the Federal Government is taking to lessen the current hardship suffered by Nigerians.
"As previously said, this house remains dedicated to ensuring that all Nigerian employees receive a living wage.
"The 10th House had promised Nigerians that we would work with the government and organized labor to promptly come up with a new, fair national minimum wage.
"There are also additional palliatives to help citizens deal with the economic effects of the elimination of fuel subsidies, the decline in the value of the naira relative to the dollar, the increasing price of food, and the overall high cost of life in the nation.
"We believe that starting a statewide strike at this time will simply make the already dire situation worse.
Therefore, he pleaded with the labor union leadership to give us the benefit of the doubt and postpone any upcoming strikes while we spoke with the management.
The speaker urged the parliamentarians to use the chances and prospects their positions afford them to reverse the nation's misfortunes and gloom.
He claimed that President Bola Tinubu had made a significant diplomatic and economic breakthrough with the United Arab Emirates, which would result in the UAE once again issuing visas to Nigerians and Emirates Airlines returning to Nigerian airspace.
In addition to his successful performance at the just finished 78th General Assembly of the United Nations, he said that Tinubu had also secured some significant economic agreements in India.
The executive branch of government is anticipated to submit this Honourable House with the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill and the 2024 Appropriation Bill in the upcoming days.
"It is anticipated that there won't be much time to consider these measures, so we must roll up our sleeves and go to work right away to ensure that there is a swift deliberation that reflects the aspirations of the populace.
"We need to put in more effort to make sure the budget is approved in time for it to be put into effect on January 1st, 2024.
"In the face of serious national problems, neither our country nor our 10th House of the People have the luxury of time.
In order to meet the needs of our people, he stated, "we must do everything in our power to champion causes."
The speaker gave an ultimatum that all ad hoc Committees must complete their tasks and submit their findings by October 3 or they will all be disbanded.
He stated that any committees that are unable to complete their work by the deadline must turn them over to the appropriate standing committees.