FG warns Private Employers Paying Below N70,000, Are Liable To Imprisonment

KEY POINTS

• Employers asked to pay N70,000 new minimum wage or face sanctions – FG.
•  Since employers are in doubt regarding the wage whether it is net or gross, Employers Association wants clarification.
•  Owing to the current economic challenges currently facing the country NLC has urged the government to ensure that the new minimum wages are implemented to the letter.

The Federal Government has informed that any private employer who renumerates workers below the N70, 000 per month is a lawbreaker and risks imprisonment. This he stated during the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, EAPEAN held in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday.

Speaking at a Public Hearing on the proposed new Minimum Wage for the Nigerian workers, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, who was represented by John Nyamali Director of Employment and Wages averred that the new minimum wage is the law.

The minimum wage is now a law and you cannot pay less than N70000, you’ll be dragged to court, Abubakar added. He called on private employment agencies to align their contracts with this new development especially considering that is the least paid worker in Nigeria.

Employers association asks for further light, NLC wants it implemented

According to The Punch, The President of EAPEAN, Dr Olufemi Ogunlowo called on the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to clarify whether N70,000 minimum wage stated by Mr. Amaechi, means gross or net.

In response, Ogunlowo stated that the association wants to offer decent employment opportunities for workers and protect them against mistreatment but pointed out that such measures should be clarified.

However, speaking on N70, 000 minimum wage Funmilayo Sessi the chairlady NLC Lagos State Council said that this amount is unable to cope with current economic challenges. They also urged private employers to implement the wage right away and cautioned that the NLC would aggressively enforce compliance in the state.