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Government has announced an increase in the daily minimum wage from GHc6 to GHc7. This represents a 16.7% increase from the previous figure. The increment takes a retrospective effect from January 1, 2015. The decision was arrived at after the tripartite committee comprising government, labour and private employers concluded the week-long negotiation Tuesday. The committee has further recommended that the increment should be tax exempt. Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, told the media that the talks began January 13 at the public services joint standing negotiating committee chaired by the Fair Wages and Salaries Committee. He explained that the taking of an early decision on the public sector wage helps the Controller and Accountant General to facilitate payment of the determined base pay and daily minimum wage. �I believe it is important for both partners, government and labour, to appreciate legitimate concerns and needs of organised labour and their demands against constraints and capacity of the budget to contain whatever they may be demanding...It is the determination of government to work with labour to contain the wage bill.... "As a Ministry, our determination remains on the fact that improved and better economic fortunes will be better shared by both government and labour,� he said.