Define Who Benefits from New ₦70,000 Minimum Wage – NLC Tells National Assembly

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the National Assembly to expedite action on clarifying the scope of the new national minimum wage.

NLC President Joe Ajaero made this appeal on Monday during a book launch in Abuja.

It should be recalled that on July 24, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during a plenary session, announced that the ₦70,000 minimum wage applies to all workers, including domestic staff like maids and gatekeepers.

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However, Ajaero emphasised the need for the National Assembly to clearly define who is covered under the new minimum wage law.

“There is a need to identify the number of individuals the Minimum Wage Act will cover,” Ajaero stated. “Until the National Assembly provides clarity, confusion may arise. The specific number of people it affects, and the essential components of the wage, need to be explained. As of now, the white paper outlining this has not been released.”

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Ajaero further noted that based on the Senate President’s statement, the new wage policy is not limited to companies employing more than 25 workers.

“We are waiting for the law itself to be enacted so we can address these issues before misunderstandings begin,” Ajaero said. “If you have just one gatekeeper or maid, you are expected to pay them ₦70,000. That is the explanation we are seeking.”

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