The leadership of House of Representatives was on Wednesday mandated to meet with the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, and the leadership of organised labour for peace talks.
The meeting will look into ways of averting the three-day warning strike notice issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Labour is protesting the non-implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage by state governors and the decision of the Federal Government to do selective implementation of the new wage.
The government plans to implement the wage for only workers on grade levels one to six.
The House resolved to intervene in the matter after a member from Edo State, Mr. Peter Akpaterson, warned lawmakers on the consequences of the strike.
Akpaterson, who is a former labour leader, said a three-day strike would have adverse effects on the Nigerian economy.
Only last week, many lawmakers had supported the position of state governors, who claimed that they could not afford to pay the new wage.
The governors have demanded financial assistance from the Federal Government or in the alternative, a review of the current revenue formula in favour of states and local governments before they can pay the money.
The three-day warning strike is expected to begin on Wednesday next week.
The development came as the House ordered an investigation into alleged lopsided recruitment and representation in Federal Government agencies since 1999.
According to a motion by Mr. Ahmed Idris, some states or ethnic groups have an overbearing representation in government agencies to the detriment of other states.
He said this was a breach of Sections 153 (1), 14 (3) and (4) as well as 15 (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Idris added, “The provision of the constitution is usually abused by most ministries, departments and agencies of government in carrying out employment exercise, distribution of social amenities and physical infrastructure.
“The non-compliance with this provision of the constitution is capable of causing disharmony, disloyalty and endangering the peaceful coexistence of our nation.”
The report of the investigation is to be laid before the House within one month by the Committee on Federal Character.
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Warning strike: Reps summon minister, labour leaders
Warning strike: Reps summon minister, labour leaders
NigerianEye
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Thursday, July 14, 2011
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