The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to private sector employment agencies, urging them to comply with the newly established N70,000 minimum wage or face legal consequences.
Speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria in Lagos, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, stressed the importance of the new wage structure in addressing the country’s current economic challenges.
He emphasized that no Nigerian worker, whether in the private or public sector, should earn less than N70,000.
Represented by the ministry’s Director of Employment and Wages, John Nyamali, Abubakar 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. Private employment agencies must ensure that all workers under their contracts are paid no less than this amount, and this should be after all deductions.”
He added that any failure to comply with the law could result in imprisonment for employers, underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring fair wages for all workers.
In his remarks, the President of EAPEAN, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, called for clarification from the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress on whether the N70,000 minimum wage is a net or gross figure.
He stressed the need for clear guidelines in the implementation of the wage law, noting that private-sector employers are prepared to comply.
“As an employers union, we are committed to implementing the minimum wage and ensuring that our workers are paid fairly. However, the government must clarify whether the N70,000 is net or gross. All ambiguities in the minimum wage law should be addressed,” Ogunlowo said.
The Chairperson of the NLC Lagos State Council, Funmilayo Sessi, also spoke at the event, highlighting the harsh economic conditions faced by Nigerian workers. She urged private employers to begin paying the N70,000 minimum wage immediately, once the consequential adjustments are finalized.
“The N70,000 is insufficient given the current economic realities. However, once the adjustments are made, all private employment agencies should comply immediately. The NLC in Lagos State will ensure strict enforcement of this law,” Sessi said, warning against any attempt to evade the wage requirements.
