The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), called off the planned three days warning strike at exactly 12 a.m this morning after signing a favourable agreement with the Federal and state governors.
The seven point agreement reads:
• The Federal Government agrees to comply with the new national minimum wage (Amendment) Act 2011.
•The Federal Government shall conclude negotiations with labour on the implementation of the new national minimum wage not later than 31 July, 2011.
•Detailed negotiations on the relativity implications of the implementation of the new minimum wage Act, 2011 will be concluded not later than 31 July, 2011.
•The new wages will be implemented with effect from 1 August, 2011.
•The arrears of the new wages with effect from 23 March, 2011 will be paid not later than 31 August 2011.
•No workers shall be victimized in any manner or form as a consequence of the implementation of the new national minimum wage.
•In line with the agreement earlier reached with the Federal Government and state governors, labour resolves to suspend the three-day warning strike across the country.
The agreement was read by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), President Comrade Abdulwahed Omar, who was one of the signatories. The TUC President, Comrade Peter Esele, was also one of the signatories.
On the part of Federal Government, The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim signed, along with Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi.
However, while both the Federal and state government will commence implementation (Payment) on 1 August, 2011, the Federal Government will pay arrears from 23 March, while the states will pay arrears from 1 April.
Tribune