Minimum Wage: FG says equitable and sustainable pay for workers remains a priority

The Federal Government in January constituted a 37-member Tripartite Committee to negotiate and agree on the new minimum wage due to take effect this year. The tripartite panel’s sitting is currently ongoing in Abuja. The Federal Government fixed yesterday’s public hearings to get the input of the generality of the people, Labour and pressure groups, and religious and business leaders. Yesterday’s discussions were held in Yola, Northeast; Kano, Northwest; Abuja, Northcentral; Uyo, Southsouth; Enugu, Southeast, and Lagos, Southwest. Minister of Finance/the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, who chaired the Lagos event, restated the Federal Government’s commitment to a new minimum wage. Speaking at the Southwest zonal public hearing held at the LTV Blue Roof Arena in Ikeja, Edun promised workers “a living wage that is fair and sustainable.” The minister spoke against the backdrop of the N794,000 monthly wage demanded by the Southwest NLC.