Brazil set for wage vote

BRASILIA, Brazil, June 23 (UPI) -- Lawmakers in Brazil's lower house reached an accord to vote on a controversial minimum wage bill, local news sources reported Wednesday.

The vote -- scheduled for later Wednesday -- would be the second congressional ballot on how high to raise the minimum wage, which currently stands at 240 reals a month (around $76.50), Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper reported

A 20 reals increase to 260 a month (about $83) passed the lower house weeks ago, however, senators voted to raise the wage to 275 reals (almost $88) a month.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva maintains the federal budget cannot afford a hike to 275 reals, saying an increase that high would force his administration to further cut social spending.