by The Federal Government has urged private sector recruitment agencies to follow the new N70,000 minimum wage rule, warning that any employer who pays less will face punishment.
Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, made this statement during a meeting in Ikeja, Lagos. Represented by the ministry’s Director of Employment and Wages, John Nyamali, Abubakar said, “The minimum wage is now law, and any employer paying less than N70,000 can be jailed. Every worker in Nigeria must earn at least N70,000, even after deductions.”
Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN), expressed support for the minimum wage but asked the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to clarify if the amount is gross or net. He also emphasized the association’s commitment to offering decent jobs and preventing worker exploitation.
NLC Lagos State Chairperson, Funmilayo Sessi, stressed that private employers must quickly adjust to the N70,000 minimum wage, as the current economic conditions have significantly reduced workers’ purchasing power.
