The Federal Government has warned recruiting agencies for private sector to adhere to the nation’s N70,000 minimum wage, saying failure to implement it could lead to jail term.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, 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.
He further stated that no Nigerian worker, whether in government or private employment, should be paid less than the minimum wage. He added that any deviation from the stipulated amount would not be tolerated.
According to him, the minimum wage is necessary to address the current economic reality in the country.
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.”
In his remarks, the President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, Dr Olufemi Ogunlowo, asked the government and Nigeria Labour Congress to address ambiguities in Act and to clarify whether the N70,000 minimum wage is net or gross.
“As an employers union in the private sector, we are committed to implementing the minimum wage. We are a law-abiding and guided association. Our principals and clients have also keyed into the minimum wage.
“However, 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.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
