FG to private employers: stick to N70,000 pay or risk jail

Following the endorsement of the N70,000 minimum wage by the federal government, agencies recruiting for the private sector have been urged to adhere to the new policy or risk jail.

The government stressed that deviation from the N70,000 minimum wage, amounted to a great consequence.

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, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, said this while speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, held in  Lagos.

Abubakar, who was represented by the Director of Employment and Wages of the ministry, John Nyamali, said, “The minimum wage is now a law, and as a result, it is a punishable crime for any employer to pay less than N70,000 to any of its workers.

“The private employment agencies should make it compulsory in any contract they take from their principal that their workers should not earn less than the minimum wage. The least paid worker in Nigeria should earn N70,000, and I think that should be after all deductions.

“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.”

Earlier, the President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, (EAPEAN), Dr Olufemi Ogunlowo, called on the government and Nigeria Labour Congress to clarify ambiguities in the new policy, adding that the agencies is already committed to the minimum wage, providing decent jobs for Nigerians, and guarding against the exploitation of human resources.

“As an employers union in the private sector, we are committed to implementing the minimum wage. Our principals and clients have also keyed into the minimum wage but the government must clarify whether the N70,000 minimum wage is net or gross. The government and NLC should address all ambiguities in the minimum wage,” he stated.

NLC chairperson, Lagos State council, Funmilayi Sessi said the economic situation had crippled the financial value of Nigerian workers.

Sessi 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. EAPEAN should avoid confrontation with the NLC on the minimum wage.”