FG Warns Private Sector Against Paying Below ₦70,000 Minimum Wage, Says It Is A Punishable Crime

The Federal Government has insisted that no Nigerian worker, either in the government or private sector, should earn less than the approved ₦70,000 minimum wage.

This update was shared by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, held in Ikeja, Lagos.

Daju was represented by the Director of Employment and Wages of the ministry, John Nyamali.

The government warned that those who choose to ignore the directive are disobeying the law, and can be jailed for it.

The FG reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the least paid worker goes up with ₦70,000 as salary every month.

His words: “The minimum wage is now a law, and as a result, it is a punishable crime for any employer to pay less than ₦70,000 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 ₦70,000, 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 ₦70,000.”

The President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, also gave a speech at the event.

He called on the government to highlight all ambiguities in the Act and explain it to them.

Notably, he wants the government to clarify whether the new minimum wage is net or gross.

“As a labour union in the private sector, we are committed to the implementation of 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 ₦70,000 minimum wage is net or gross. The government and NLC should address all ambiguities in the minimum wage,” he stated.