Jonathan Seeks Truce With Labour Over Impending Strike

AS the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warms up for a three-day nationwide strike over demands for a new minimum wage, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said he was confident that the workers would soft-pedal, stressing that the Federal Government was already addressing the problem to ensure that the country is not grounded.
   He explained that within the short period he assumed office as President, his Administration has demonstrated a Labour-friendly disposition.
    Jonathan had summoned the Council of State meeting, last week, to deliberate on the matter. The meeting reviewed the recommendations of the Justice Alfa Belgore- led committee’s report on minimum wage.  The President, in a rare interview with aviation reporters, at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, said he was of the opinion that, “Labour will stay with us. Presently, government pays N17, 000, and, within this period, we raised it from N7, 500 to N17, 000 and they are talking about the minimum wage of N18, 000. You will agree with me that N1000 difference for good people that have been friendly will not lead to any industrial action.
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