Senate President Says: New Minimum Wage Is for All Workers, Including Domestic Staffs.

 

In a landmark decision, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced that the newly approved minimum wage of N70,000 will be applicable to all workers in Nigeria, spanning both the public and private sectors. This includes domestic staff such as maids and housekeepers. The announcement was made during a plenary session on Tuesday.

Akpabio's declaration follows the rapid passage of the minimum wage bill by both chambers of the National Assembly shortly after it was transmitted by President Bola Tinubu. The swift legislative action underscores the government's commitment to improving the livelihoods of Nigerian workers across all sectors.

During the plenary session, the Senate President provided clarity on the scope of the new wage law. "If you are a tailor and you employ additional hands, you cannot pay them below N70,000. If you are a mother with a newborn child and you want to hire a housemaid to look after your child, you cannot pay the person below the approved minimum wage," Akpabio stated. He emphasized that the wage is a minimum standard that applies universally, not a maximum cap.

The new law aims to ensure that all workers, regardless of their job type or sector, receive fair compensation for their labor. This move is expected to have a significant positive impact on the financial well-being of domestic workers, who have historically been among the most underpaid and undervalued segments of the workforce.

The implementation of this minimum wage is a critical step towards promoting economic equality and improving the quality of life for Nigerian workers. As the country moves forward with this new wage policy, employers across Nigeria will need to adjust their payrolls to comply with the law, ensuring that all employees receive the newly mandated minimum wage.