LABOUR ACT (AMENDMENT BILL)

A Bill modifies the existing Labour Act to update wage provisions and strengthen worker protections across the country. It directs updated standards to employers and employees, particularly those earning minimum wage. The legislation aims to improve worker welfare by ensuring wages reflect the rising cost of living.

Verification note

The title identifies a bill. Its exact date, legislative stage and assent have not been independently verified. The imported explanation below is under review.

What Is This Policy?

The Labour Act (Amendment Bill, 2024) is a legislative proposal that modifies Nigeria’s existing Labour Act to update wage provisions, strengthen worker protections, and align employment laws with current economic realities.

Who Does It Target?

The Bill is directed at employers and employees across Nigeria, particularly those in formal employment sectors. It targets workers earning minimum wage, ensuring they receive fair compensation, and employers, who are legally bound to comply with updated wage and labor standards.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

The Bill aims to improve the welfare of Nigerian workers by ensuring that wages reflect the rising cost of living and inflation. It seeks to strengthen labor protections, promote fair treatment in employment, and reduce poverty by mandating a living wage.

Key Features

Increase in National Minimum Wage: Adjustment from ₦30,000 to ₦494,000 monthly. Employer Compliance: Legal obligation for employers to pay the new wage. Worker Protection: Reinforcement of rights to fair wages and working conditions. Union Recognition: Strengthening collective bargaining rights. Alignment with Economic Realities: Wage adjustments tied to inflation and cost of living

Current Status

Rollout Stage: implementation phase Coverage: applies nationwide Beneficiaries to Date: Millions of Nigerian workers across public and private sectors. Funding: Employers (public and private) are responsible for wage payments; government funding covers public sector workers.

How to Access

National Assembly Portal: https://nass.gov.ng Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment: https://labour.gov.ng Nigeria Legal Information Institute (NigerLII): http://www.nigerlii.org Federal Government Gazette: Official publication of enacted laws.

Important Terms

Term 1-Minimum Wage The legally mandated lowest monthly wage employers must pay workers. The amendment raised this to ₦494,000 to reflect inflation and living costs Term 2- Collective Bargaining The process by which trade unions negotiate with employers on behalf of workers to secure better wages and working conditions.

Official Resources

• Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Website: https://labour.gov.ng 📍 Address: Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja 📞 Phone: +234 (0) 9 234 0770 ✉️ Email: [email protected] • National Assembly of Nigeria Website: https://nass.gov.ng Link to document- https://ir.nilds.gov.ng/bitstream/handle/123456789/2735/A%20BILL%20FOR%20AN%20ACT%20TO%20AMEND%20THE%20LABOUR%20ACT%20CAP%20L1%2C%20LAWS%20OF%20THE%20FEDERATION%20OF%20NIGERIA%20%28LFN%29%2C%202004%20TO%20PROVIDE%20FOR%20FAIR%20AND%20UNFAIR%20TERMINATION%20OF%20EMPLOYMENT%20AND%20FOR%20RELATED%20MATTERS%2C%202024.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Section 254C); Labour Act (Cap L1, LFN 2004) (principal Act being amended); Trade Unions Act; National Minimum Wage Act; ILO Conventions ratified by Nigeria