Employees (Unpaid Wages Prohibition) Bill

A Bill explicitly prohibits and criminalizes the persistent non-payment or underpayment of wages. It establishes clear enforcement mechanisms and remedies for all employees in the private and public sectors. This creates criminal liability for employers who willfully withhold salaries.

Employees (Unpaid Wages Prohibition) Bill Policy Overview

What Is This Policy?

A bill to explicitly prohibit and criminalise the persistent non-payment or underpayment of employees' wages in Nigeria, establishing clear enforcement mechanisms and remedies for affected workers.

Who Does It Target?

All employees in public and private sector employment Employers, HR departments, and payroll officers Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Trade unions and workers' associations

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Eliminate wage theft and persistent salary delays in Nigerian workplaces Establish swift legal remedies for workers denied wages Create criminal liability for employers who wilfully withhold wages Strengthen the enforcement capacity of the Ministry of Labour and its inspectorate

Key Features

Current Status

Funding: Wage Recovery Fund capitalised from employer penalties and federal appropriation

How to Access

Affected workers file complaints with the Ministry of Labour or National Industrial Court. Requirements: Employment contract or proof of employment relationship Evidence of unpaid wages (payslips, bank records, correspondence) Complaint submitted within 12 months of wage default Application method: Ministry of Labour offices nationwide; National Industrial Court: www.nicn.gov.ng

Important Terms

Wilful non-payment of wages for 3+ months constitutes a criminal offence Employers found guilty face fines up to ₦5 million and up to 2 years imprisonment Workers cannot be dismissed for filing wage complaints; victimisation is separately penalised

Impact & Metrics

Salary delays and non-payment affect an estimated 3 million Nigerian workers annually, including many civil servants at state level; the bill targets 90% wage compliance within 2 years.

Official Resources

Website: www.labour.gov.ng | www.nicn.gov.ng Contact: Ministry of Labour — [email protected] | NIC: [email protected] Federal Republic of Nigeria — Policy Summary Document | March 2026

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Section 254C on labour); Labour Act; National Minimum Wage Act; Trade Unions Act; ILO Convention No. 95 on Protection of Wages