The Minimum Wage Repeal and Re-enactment Bill, 2019, has been signed into law yesterday by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying implementation takes immediate effect.
The National Assembly had on March 27 transmitted the bill to the President for assent.
Briefing State House correspondents, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, said: “You can see me smiling on behalf of Nigerian workers. President Buhari has assented to the Minimum Wage Repeal and Enactment Act 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 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 of 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. “The effective date is April 18, 2019, as the president has assented to. It has been assented to today (yesterday) and it takes effect today (yesterday), 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.”
On what is expected of the workers, the presidential aide said: “I want Nigerian workers to celebrate President Buhari, to support this administration, support its policies and of course, we will as a government go out and march together along with Nigerian workers on Workers Day. “Mr. President will celebrate with workers and the Federal Government will celebrate. This is Mr. President showing workers the love he has for them and we are marching as we will march with the Nigerian workers.” Meanwhile, President Buhari has urged workers to show more commitments in their duties. Speaking after signing the N30,000 new minimum wage, the President said: “I expect them (workers) to be more committed to their work at which ever level. I will like with the cooperation of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to look at the economic situation of the country, the population, the poor infrastructure that we are trying to fix in terms of roads, rail and power. So I wish Nigerian workers the best of luck.”
