The National Assembly has resolved to ensure states, local governments, and the Organised Private Sector adhere to the approved minimum wage. According to a source from Punch, the Assembly may consider seizing allocations from non-compliant states and local governments.
In a move to strengthen enforcement, the National Assembly plans to include a clause in the upcoming Wage Award Bill, which will specify clear sanctions for those who default on the new minimum wage laws. This follows President Bola Tinubu’s submission of the Wage Award Bill.
Hakeem Ambali, National Treasurer of the Nigerian Labour Congress, emphasized the need for political will to enforce these sanctions. He noted that previous minimum wage acts included sanction clauses but lacked the strength and enforcement necessary to deter defaulters. Ambali stated, “If the Senate can do the needful and oversee the implementation, it will be the best thing for Nigerian workers.”
Ambali also stressed that any proposed sanctions must be robust enough to prevent non-compliance. He highlighted that several state governments have identified and begun addressing their failure to fully comply with the ₦30,000 minimum wage, attributing past non-compliance to a lack of priority for workers. He concluded, “A happy and well-motivated worker is a very good asset to productivity and development.”