The government-labour face-off over the implementation of the Minimum Wage Act 2011 reached an anti-climax on Tuesday with organised labour calling off its threatened warning strike expected to
commence on Wednesday (today).Organised labour announced the cancellation in a communique issued very late last night.
Labour hinged its decision on the agreement it reached with the Federal Government to commence full implementation of the Minimum Wage Act as from August 1, 2011.
The Federal Government had on Monday said it would only pay a certain category of workers for a start and commence the full implementation of the new wage regime next year.
Under the agreement reached very late last night, workers of all cadres in the public service will benefit from the expected upward review of salaries that will follow the implementation.
The organised labour communiqué read by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, says, “Federal Government agreed to comply with the new National Minimum Wage Amendment Act 2011.
“Federal Government shall conclude negotiations with Labour on the implementation of the minimum wage not later than 31st July, 2011.
“Detailed negotiations on the relativity implication of the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage Act 2011 will be concluded not later than 31st July, 2011.
“The new wages will be implemented from 1st August, 2011.
“The arrears of the new wages with effect from 23rd March, 2011 will be paid not later than 31st August, 2011.
“No worker shall be victimised in any manner or form as a consequence of the implementation of the new Minimum Wage Act.
“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 communiqué was signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Worgu; Head of Service, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi; Omar, and President of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Peter Esele.
Wogu promised that the Federal Government would honour the agreement.
“The economy of Nigeria can not withstand a three-day warning strike,” the minister said after the meeting that ended at 11:55pm.
Notwithstanding the last minute suspension of the strike, there were fears that most workers would stay off their duty posts today on the earlier directive of their unions.
An indication that the strike would be called off emerged at about 7.30pm when the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, in a last minute effort to stave off the strike, on Wednesday, sealed an agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to commence full implementation of the Minimum Wage Act 2011 in August this year.
After reaching an agreement, the negotiating teams of the governors’ forum and organised labour left to meet with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation who was expected to ratify the deal on behalf of the Federal Government.
-The Punch
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