Speaker Abbas: “Ensuring the Welfare of Nigerian Workers is Our Top Priority”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, conveyed his strong commitment to improving the welfare of National Assembly workers during a meeting on Thursday. Speaker Abbas assured the workers, who are represented by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), National Assembly chapter, that he would collaborate with the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to address the issues affecting them.

The Speaker made this commitment during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja by Mr. Sunday Sabiyi, the Chairman of PASAN, NASS Chapter, along with other executive members of the union.

In response to the concerns raised by the PASAN leadership, Speaker Abbas emphasized the crucial role played by the workers in the functioning of the National Assembly and the necessity of ensuring their comfort in both life and work.

He stated, “I am fully aligned with everything you’ve expressed. I have a deep passion for labor matters because I, too, started at the very bottom, working in the civil service. I understand your challenges and your struggles. I want to assure you that I stand with you, and I empathize with your situation. Not only that, I am well aware of what you are going through.”

Speaker Abbas further pledged that the 10th National Assembly under his leadership would spare no effort in resolving the problems they’ve inherited.

Regarding salary and allowance arrears, the Speaker assured the workers that he would coordinate with his Senate counterpart to initiate pension remittances and payments. He also highlighted the importance of the National Assembly Pension Board, noting that its establishment was a groundbreaking achievement. He indicated his intention to work with Senator Akpabio to constitute the board, allowing the pension scheme to commence early next year.

Speaker Abbas expressed the Assembly’s interest in providing fuel for the buses used to transport workers. Additionally, he directed the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission to be invited to a meeting the following week to discuss how parliamentary workers can benefit from the N35,000 post-subsidy salary bonuses declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Federal Government workers in the Executive arm.

Mr. Sabiyi, the PASAN chairman, voiced concerns about the impact of the removal of subsidies on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, on the workers. He also called for a review of the salary structure and conditions of service, along with the payment of arrears. Mr. Sabiyi emphasized the desire for a smooth and trouble-free operation of their offices, expressing concerns about strikes and picketing. He drew attention to the absence of pension and gratuity for PASAN members in the National Assembly upon retirement, except for those in management, and appealed to the Speaker to expedite the initiation of the pension scheme.