The President of Employers’ Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN), Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo has urged the National Assembly to give more clarity to the new national minimum wage debacle. According to him, what is paid in Nigeria is salary, and not wages.

Speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of EAPEAN, in Lagos, he said: “We always like that there is no ambiguity in law. What we call wage in Nigeria is salary because wage is paid hourly or daily. So, for clarity, the proposed N70,000 is minimum monthly salary and not wage, otherwise we will be in trouble because employers will have to pay N70,000 hourly. So it is expedient to understand the clear distinction.

“We also need to know if it is gross or net. All of these have to be explicit, otherwise it will bring confusion. We are thus asking these questions so that those in charge can draft the law appropriately.” He noted that the association’s new status as a trade union confers on it the ability to bargain and promote decent work for Nigerians.

“With this status, we are able to advocate on behalf of all employers to ensure that the terms of employment for their people are in line with the law, and conform with international best practice,” he said.

On efforts to eliminate casualization in the workplace, Ogunlowo said it was necessary to understand the dynamics of the recruitment which could warrant an employer to hire temporary workers.

Also, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ismaila Abubakar, represented by the Director of Employment and Wages, John Nyamali, said: “The minimum wage is now a law, and so it is a punishable crime for any employer to pay any of its workers less than N70,000.

“The National Minimum Wage Amendment Act 2024 was signed by Mr. President and is now in force. The Act increased the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000, in line with the prevailing economic realities. It behooves on EAPEAN to ensure its members do not accept any labour contract that offers remuneration below the national minimum wage to any category of employees. You should ensure that your members observe the highest principle of ethics, integrity and professionalism.”