In response to the refusal of government to effect the 25 per cent increase in wages promised workers this year, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called a meeting of its highest ruling body, the National Executive Council, this week, to finalise the congress' stand on the issue ahead of the negotiations with government.

The General Secretary of the congress, Comrade John Odah, said Labour had already decided to call the meeting even before the May Day celebration with the purpose of fine-tuning their strategies in the event of non-implementation of the agreed wage increase.

"We had agreed to call a meeting of the National Executive Council, a week after May day. This is an option we will fall back on," he told Daily Trust.

He said the negotiations between Labour and government before the May Day broke down because the congress was not comfortable with the composition of the Federal Government's team.

"We had a problem with the composition of the team which as you know we had made a point we didn't think that the Ministry of Labour which is supposed to be arbiter in terms of industrial disputes should be the one that should negotiate or discuss with us on this issue because if there is a breakdown they are supposed to be the ones who would arbitrate," Comrade Odah pointed out.

It is expected that the National Executive Council will decide on Labour's approach to the failure of the government to implement the wage increase.

However, it is expected that labour may not call a nationwide strike this time as the NLC President, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has indicated the congress's readiness to negotiate and dialogue with government.