Agencies recruiting for the private sector has been called by the federal government to strictly adhere to the N70,000 new minimum wage. It warn that any derivation would not be tolerated.
According to the FG, the new minimum wage is necessary to address the current economic reality, emphasising that no Nigerian worker, whether in government or private employment, should be paid less than the minimum wage.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, stated this on Wednesday while speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, held in Ikeja, Lagos.
Daju, the director of employment and wages of the ministry, who was represented by the Director of Employment and Wages of the ministry, Mr John Nyamali, said, “The minimum wage is now a law in Nigeria, and as a result, it is a punishable crime for any employer to pay less than the approved N70,000 to any of its worker.
It is recommended that private hiring agencies include an essential requirement in their contracts with companies that their employees must get at least the minimum wage. N70,000 should be the lowest paid worker’s salary in Nigeria, after all deductions.
If you don’t follow the law, you risk going to jail for not paying the minimum wage. The Federal Government is determined to ensure to it that the worker who receives the lowest pay receives N70,000.
Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, stated in his statement that any ambiguities in the Act should be underlined and he requested the government and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to clarify if the N70,000 minimum pay is net or gross payment.
Okoye asserts that the EAPEAN is already committed to maintaining the minimum wage, providing Nigerians decent jobs, and preventing the abuse of human resources.
As a private sector union, we are dedicated to seeing the minimum wage put into effect. We are a guided organization that abides by the law. Our clients and principals have also taken a keen interest in the minimum wage.
But the government needs to make it clear whether the N70,000 minimum salary is gross or net. All questions about the minimum wage should be addressed by the government and NLC, he said.
During the event, Funmilayo Sessi, the Chairperson of the NLC’s Lagos State branch, stated that the current economic situation has wiped out any income that Nigerian workers could have been earning, calling on private employers to ensure the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage.
She said: “The N70,000 isn’t enough in the current economic realities. By the time the consequential adjustment is concluded, all private employment agencies should immediately start paying their workers the N70,000 minimum wage.
The NLC in Lagos State will see to the strict enforcement of the minimum wage. He advice EAPEAN to avoid confrontation with the NLC on the minimum wage.
