Minimum wage: FG to conduct zonal public hearings

The federal government will hold public hearings to assess the minimum wage throughout the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Mrs. Helen Chukwu, Head of Press and Public Relations for the Federal Ministry of Finance, stated in Abuja Thursday evening that the series would begin in the South West.

Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, would chair the event, which will take place in Lagos on Thursday, she said.

Other hearings are scheduled for the North-East (Yola), North-West (Kano), North-Central (Abuja), South-South (Uyo), and South-East (Enugu).

She said, “These workshops aim to collect ideas and proposals to inform a fair and sustainable minimum wage policy, reflecting the engagement and contributions of diverse stakeholders in the region.”

In Lagos, Mr. Edun would be joined by Osun State Governor Adeleke Ademola, who would represent state government interests; Omo-Lamai Grace from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; and Muhammed Nura from the Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, who would represent employers’ perspectives.

Similarly, Adeyanju Adewale (NLC), Shuaibu Afusatu (TUC), and Minister of State for Labour and Employment Onyejeocha Nkeiruka would represent organized labor.

Mrs. Chukwu stated that the hearings will result in “a reasonable, sustainable national minimum wage, reflecting our economic reality and ambitions.”