The Federal Government has issued a strong directive to private sector recruitment agencies, mandating strict adherence to the newly established N70,000 minimum wage. Any deviations from this standard will not be tolerated, officials warn.
This move aims to address the pressing economic realities faced by workers across Nigeria. The government asserts that no employee, regardless of whether they work in the public or private sector, should earn less than the stipulated minimum wage.
Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, delivered this message during the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria in Ikeja, Lagos, where he was represented by John Nyamali, the ministry’s Director of Employment and Wages.
“The minimum wage is now a law,” Nyamali emphasized, underscoring the seriousness of compliance. “It is a punishable crime for any employer to pay less than N70,000 to any of its workers.”
He stressed that it is crucial for private employment agencies to include this wage requirement in all contracts with their clients. “The least paid worker in Nigeria should earn N70,000, after all deductions,” he stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring fair compensation for all workers.
Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, raised an important point regarding the minimum wage. He called for clarification from the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on whether the N70,000 figure is net or gross.
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“There are ambiguities in the Act that need to be addressed,” he noted, highlighting the association’s commitment to upholding the minimum wage and providing decent jobs while protecting workers from exploitation.
In her remarks, Funmilayo Sessi, Chairperson of the NLC Lagos State Council, expressed concern over the challenging economic conditions that have diminished the purchasing power of workers.
“The N70,000 isn’t enough in the current economic realities,” she said, urging private employers to implement the minimum wage immediately.
Sessi pledged that the NLC would enforce compliance rigorously, warning that EAPEAN should avoid any conflicts with the labor organization regarding wage issues.
With these developments, the government is sending a clear message: compliance with the N70,000 minimum wage is not just a recommendation but a legal obligation, and violations will be met with consequences.
