FG to Sanction Private Employers Paying Below N70,000 Minimum Wage, Defaulters to Face Jail Term

 


 


The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern warning to private-sector employers, emphasizing that paying below the newly set minimum wage of N70,000 could result in severe legal consequences, including imprisonment.

This directive was reinforced during the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN), held in Ikeja, Lagos. John Nyamali, Director of Employment and Wages at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, representing the Permanent Secretary, Kachollom Daju, stressed the legal implications of failing to comply with the minimum wage law.

“The minimum wage is now a law, and it is a punishable crime for any employer to pay less than N70,000 to any of its workers,” Nyamali stated. He added that the government remains committed to ensuring that no Nigerian worker earns below this wage, regardless of whether they are employed in the public or private sector.

Private employment agencies have been tasked with ensuring that all contracts they manage comply with this new wage structure. Nyamali stressed that the least paid worker should take home at least N70,000 after deductions, and employers who fail to implement this law could face imprisonment.

In response to the announcement, the President of EAPEAN, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, called on the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to provide clear guidance on whether the N70,000 is a net or gross wage, stating that ambiguities in the minimum wage Act must be addressed.

“As an employers union, we are committed to implementing the minimum wage. However, the government must clarify whether the N70,000 is net or gross. We need the government and NLC to address these ambiguities so that the Act is clear to all,” Ogunlowo said.

Funmilayo Sessi, Chairperson of the Lagos State Council of the NLC, urged private employers to comply swiftly with the new wage structure, despite the current economic challenges faced by Nigerian workers. She noted that while the N70,000 wage may not be sufficient in today’s economy, it must be strictly enforced.

“The NLC in Lagos State will ensure that the N70,000 minimum wage is enforced across the board. Private employers should ensure compliance to avoid confrontation with the NLC on this matter,” Sessi warned.

As the government continues its push for the enforcement of the N70,000 minimum wage, both employers and employees await further clarification on the implementation of the wage law to ensure smooth compliance without legal consequences.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

TRAGEDY: Former Enugu Commissioner, Edoga Kidnapped!

Image
   In a heartbreaking news, the former Commissioner for Lands and former Head of Service in Enugu State, Surv. Barr. Albert Edoga, has been reportedly kidnapped along the Opi Nsukka - Ugwogo Nike Road.  In light of this distressing situation, there are urgent calls for the intervention of security agencies to take swift action to secure his safe release.  Reports confirmed that the incident took place on Friday, 31st January 2025, Edoga is believed to still be in captivity. Agu Chineme: reporting from Enugu More Details loading.... Surv. Barr. Albert Edoga
Read more

[VIDEO] Woman Miraculously Rescued from Yahoo-Plus Ritualist in Abuja Hotel

Image
In a chilling incident that occurred on Wednesday, September 19, 2024, a woman's life was saved after her desperate cries for help exposed an alleged ritual attempt in an Abuja hotel. The scene unfolded at Top View Hotel, Wuse Zone 5, where hotel staff rushed to rescue the woman from a harrowing ordeal. According to witnesses, the woman's screams were heard from one of the hotel rooms, prompting hotel staff to act swiftly. When they entered the room, they found the woman completely naked, her hands and legs bound with sellotape, which also encircled her neck. Her screams had alerted the employees just in time, preventing what could have been a tragic outcome. Staff members quickly confronted the man believed to be behind the attack, accusing him of attempting to use the woman for ritual purposes. In a tense confrontation, they forced him to cut the sellotape restraining the woman. The victim, visibly shaken, quickly covered herself with her clothes as the situation deescalated....
Read more

BREAKING: World Bank Condemns Tinubu’s Wasteful Spending Amidst Nigeria's Economic Hardship, Advices For Urgent Financial Reforms

Image
The World Bank has raised serious concerns about wasteful spending by the Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu, describing it as a key contributor to the country's economic woes. In its latest Nigeria Development Update, the global financial institution expressed deep dissatisfaction with the government's financial management, urging greater transparency and accountability. A key area of concern is the administration’s extravagant spending on non-essential items, even as Nigeria grapples with widespread economic challenges. The report highlighted the allocation of billions to luxury purchases, including a staggering N9.2 billion spent on State House vehicles within three months. Another N250 million was reportedly spent on event decorations for the First Lady in just five days, while additional billions went towards renovations, honorariums, and forex acquisitions. Perhaps most alarming was the purchase of a new presidential jet, costing the nation N150 billion, at a...
Read more