New N70,000 [$44.18] Minimum Wage Includes Domestic Workers: Akpabio

 

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the newly approved 70,000 Naira minimum wage applies to all workers in both the public and private sectors, including domestic staff such as maids and housekeepers.

Akpabio made this statement during the plenary session on Tuesday, following the swift passage of the bill by both chambers of the National Assembly after its transmission by President Bola Tinubu.

During the session, Akpabio emphasized, “If you are a tailor employing additional hands, you cannot pay them less than N70,000. Similarly, if you are a mother hiring a housemaid to care for your child, you must pay at least the approved minimum wage. This is not a maximum wage; it applies to everyone."

He further elaborated, “Whether you hire a driver or a gateman, the minimum pay is now set at N70,000. I am very pleased that this legislation has been passed. We anticipate that employers will now adhere to this benchmark.”

Akpabio also congratulated the Nigeria Labour Congress, all Nigerians, and the National Assembly for this significant legislation, which has also reduced the wage negotiation period from five years to three, due to the rising cost of living.

The Senate adjourned its session to September 17.

According to Coretvnews, the Senate passed the 2024 National Minimum Wage Amendment Act Bill following President Bola Tinubu's transmission of the new wage bill to both chambers, seeking their swift support.

This new bill replaces the National Minimum Wage Act, No. 8, 2019, which had set the minimum wage at N30,000 with a five-year negotiation period. The new legislation shortens this period to three years.

Leading the debate on the bill, Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele noted that the N70,000 minimum wage was agreed upon by all parties after thorough negotiations, describing it as a short-term measure to address the current economic challenges.