The lower legislative chamber ( House of Representatives) is prepared to put an end to underpayment of wages, pension, late payment of salaries, and other entitlements in Nigeria.
The House has passed for second reading a bill channeled to this cause.
The Informant247 observes that the bill was sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The proposed law was passed for second reading, Tuesday after the debate concerning the general principle of the bill.
The bill is demanding the prohibition of employers from owing salaries and other entitlements.
The bill is spelling out punishment for such employers.
For instance, an employer who owes salaries above sixty (60) days, risks thirty (30) days imprisonment.
Section 2 of the bill stipulated that “Every employer of labour in Nigeria, whether private or public, and whether it is employing any worker on permanent or contract basis must ensure that all payment of wages, salaries, pension and all benefits to workers are paid promptly without delay weekly, fortnightly monthly, quarterly or yearly as may be agreed by parties in the contract of employment of the additional individuals”.
Section 3 (1) says “an employer is prohibited from entering into any contract with any workman for any deduction from the sum contracted to be paid by the employer to the workman, or any payment to the employer by the workman for in respect of bad negligent work or injury to the material or property of the employer or in respect of any fine.”
The proposed law has been referred to the committee of the whole as it wasn’t debated.