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Nigerian Workers Suspend Nationwide Strike

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Last updated on: July 19, 2011 8:00 PM

Nigeria's main labor unions have suspended a planned nationwide strike after reaching a deal with the government on the new national minimum wage.

A leader of the Nigerian Labor Congress, Owei Lakemfa, said the federal government has agreed to implement the minimum wage, which President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law months ago.

Some of Nigeria's 36 states had resisted paying the new wage, which amounts to $118 per month. Lakemfa said the unions have reached an agreement with state governors as well.

The new minimum wage is to go into effect on August 1. The deal includes the distribution of back pay by October.

Labor unions were due to begin a three-day strike Wednesday.

The agreement followed talks between federal officials and union leaders in Abuja that stretched into late Tuesday night.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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