Maputo, Mozambique — Mozambique's tripartite negotiating forum (CCT) is scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss a revision of the country's minimum wage, Maputo sources said.

The CCT, which comprises the government, employers associations and trade unions, would also discuss economic performance in 2000, and a law on social security.

Joaquim Fanheiro, secretary general of the larger of two trade union federations, the OTM, said the meeting would be an opportunity for the parties to get the government's official version of the performance of the economy in 2000.

This was considered crucial for discussions on demands for an increase in the minimum wage.

The statutory minimum industrial wage currently stands at 568,980 meticals (1 US dollar = 17,306 meticals).

An impasse at the CCT last year led the unions to threaten a three day general strike, which was only averted when the government and employers backed down and raised their offer from 16 to 26 per cent increase in the minimum wage.

The unions also want to discuss the labour tribunals. They maintain that these bodies only exist on paper, and are clamouring for them to be made functional.