In a significant move to protect the Nigerian workforce, the Federal Government has issued a stern warning to private-sector employers: paying below the newly implemented N70,000 minimum wage could lead to imprisonment. This directive, announced during the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria in Ikeja, Lagos, underlines the government's commitment to ensuring fair wages for all Nigerian workers.
Speaking at the event, Kachollom Daju, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, represented by Director of Employment and Wages, John Nyamali, emphasized that the N70,000 minimum wage is now legally binding. This means any employer in violation of the law by paying less than the stipulated amount could face severe legal consequences, including possible jail time.
The government’s decision to enforce this wage increase comes as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges. Workers in both public and private sectors are to benefit from the new wage law, which is seen as essential to meet the rising cost of living in the country.
Daju stressed that no worker should earn below the N70,000 threshold, highlighting that this should be the take-home pay after all necessary deductions. This measure, she said, is crucial in safeguarding the economic welfare of Nigerian workers.
The minimum wage is a law, and you can be jailed if you fail to implement it. The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that the least paid worker goes home with N70,000,Daju emphasized.
In response to the government's announcement, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, voiced concerns about potential ambiguities in the law. He called on the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to clarify whether the N70,000 wage applies to gross or net earnings. This clarification is essential to avoid any misunderstandings between employers and employees.
We are already committed to the minimum wage and providing decent jobs for Nigerians while preventing the exploitation of human resources,Ogunlowo noted, expressing the private sector's willingness to comply with the new law.
Funmilayo Sessi, Chairperson of the Lagos State chapter of the NLC, echoed concerns about the adequacy of the new minimum wage, given the current economic realities. She urged private employers to swiftly adopt the N70,000 wage, noting that while the increase is a step in the right direction, it is still insufficient to fully meet workers' needs.
The N70,000 isn’t sufficient in today’s economic realities. Once the consequential adjustment is finalized, all private employment agencies must begin paying their workers the N70,000 minimum wage,Sessi insisted. She further promised strict enforcement of the law by the NLC in Lagos State, ensuring that employers do not exploit their workers.
As Nigeria faces tough economic challenges, the government's decision to enforce a minimum wage of N70,000 aims to provide much-needed relief to workers. Private employers are urged to promptly comply with this law or risk legal penalties. However, with ongoing concerns about the adequacy of the new wage and clarity on its implementation, there is still much to discuss as the law takes full effect.
This new era of wage enforcement marks a critical step in ensuring fair treatment and economic justice for all Nigerian workers, and it signals a strong message to employers that underpayment will not be tolerated.