When the next salary alerts hit the phones of Nigerian workers, one thing that is certain is that their accounts will be ‘heavier’ than before. Reason is president Mohammadu Buhari has given assent to the new minimum wage bill passed by the National Assembly. The implementation of the same law starts today.
Ita Enang, a presidential aide on National Assembly matters, disclosed this today.
The new law makes it mandatory for employers of labour in both public and private organisations to pay N30,000 as minimum wage.
“You can see me smiling on behalf of Nigerian workers. President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the Minimum Wage Repel and Enactment Act, 2019.
“This makes it compulsory for all employers of labour in Nigeria to pay to their workers the sum of N30,000.
“This excludes persons who are employing less than 25 workers, persons who work in a ship which sails out of jurisdiction and other persons who are in other kinds of regulated employment which are accepted by the Act.
“It also gives workers the right if you are compelled by any circumstance to accept salary that is less than N30,000 to sue your employer to recover the balance.
It also authorises the minister of labour and any person nominated by the minister or any person designated by the minister of labour in any ministry, department or agency to, on your behalf, take action in your name against such employer to recover the balance of your wages.
According to the presidential aide, the bill ensures and mandates the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission and the minister or labour to be the chief and principal enforcers of the provisions of this law.
“This law applies to all agencies, persons and bodies throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Enang enjoined Nigerian workers to continue to support the president and his administration’s policies in return for the gesture.
