By Kawaekwune Jeffrey
The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to private companies, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the new N70,000 minimum wage law.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, made this known during his address at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, held in Ikeja, Lagos State.
It would be recalled that the N70,000 minimum wage was recently approved as the least amount an employee should earn across the country.
Abubakar who was represented by the Director of Employment and Wages, John Nyamali, reiterated that the wage is now a legal requirement.
He also stressed that any company failing to comply could face jail time.
He said: “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 N70,000.”
Nyamali further noted that private employment agencies should ensure compliance by including this wage in any contract they sign with their principals.
“The least paid worker in Nigeria should earn N70,000, and I think that should be after all deductions,” he added.
