President BuhariPresident Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the new Minimum Wage of N30,000 with effect from today, April 18, 2019.
“This makes it compulsory for all employers of labour in Nigeria to pay to their workers the sum of N30,000. And 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 the 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 and authorises the minister of labour and any person nominated by the minister of labour, 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.
“It also ensures and mandates National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission and the Minister or Labour, to be the chief and principal enforcers of the provisions of this law. And this law applies to all agencies, persons and bodies throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Announcing the assent of the Present to the bill making it a law today, Thursday , the senior special adviser to the president on National Assembly matters, Senator Ita Enang said: “the effective date for the commencement of the law is 18th of April, 2019, as Mr. President has assented to. It has been assented to today and it takes effect today, except such other provisions as are contained in the Act. But the enforcement and the right to start the implementation of the provisions commences today (Thursday), including such steps that are to be taken gradually under the provisions of the Act.”
Senator Enang said that President Buhari will celebrate with workers on May Day, adding that the President has shown workers the love he has for them “and we are marching as we will march with the Nigerian workers.”
Asked if it the new minimum wage covers the National Youth Service Corps, Senator Enang said: “it covers all persons covered by the Act.”
