Employers Risk One-month Imprisonment For Late Payment Of Salaries
House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill to prohibit late payment of salaries, underpayment of wages, pension, and other emoluments in Nigeria. The bill sponsored by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila has passed for second reading following the debate on the general principle of the bill. The bill seeks to prohibit employees from owing salaries and other emoluments. The bill is prescribing punishment for such employers. For instance, owing salaries above 60days, such an employer risks 30 days imprisonment. Section 2 of the bill provides that “Every employer of labor 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” In addition, the bill prohibits ar...