By Funmi Komolafe
The Federal Government is determined to boost the welfare of its workers with an upward review of the national minimum wage.

Labour Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu, gave the assurance while receiving a delegation of the National Industrial Court, NIC,  in his office in Abuja.  His assurance came just ahead of a negotiation meeting of the government and members of the  Joint Public Service Negotiating Council.

He said Acting President Goodluck Jonathan had  directed  that the tripartite consultation on the  adjustment of the national minimum wage be sustained.

Wogu told NIC led by its President, Justice Babatunde Adejumo and  Chief Registrar, Mrs. Rakiya Haastrup,  that the goal of  the ministry was the realisation of Jonathan’s objective of creating wealth through boosting employment and cordial industrial relations.

He added that the government was also focused on increasing the productivity of  Nigerian workers.

The minister said, “Staff and workers welfare are paramount in my mind and it is the desire of the Acting President to improve on welfare of the Nigerian workers.

He has started doing this by engaging our respected Justice Belgore as the Chairman of the Minimum Wage Committee.”Earlier, Adejumo had stated the court’s readiness to constantly partner with all the major players in the sector towards achieving industrial harmony.

Adejumo said, “The court will not compromise in the discharge of our duties because without confidence in the labour dispute resolution mechanism there cannot be industrial peace”.