The House of Representatives Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday approved and adopted the report of the ad hoc committee on a bill for an Act to repeal the National Minimum wage act to prescribe a New National Minimum Wage for workers.
The adhoc Committee recommended and adopted the sum of N30, 000 minimum wage.
According to the bill, any employer who fails to comply shall be liable to pay fine not exceeding 5 per cent of the offenders’ monthly wage.
The House presided over by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, resolved in the Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
It resumed with the synopsis of the bill.
According to the chairman of the Committee, Mr Yussuff Lasun, the bill did not cover employers whose staff strength was below 25.
Raising a point of order, the House Majority leader, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, was of the opinion that the bill should take effect from six months after assent.
On the contrary, the lawmakers moved that the bill should take immediate effect as soon as the president signs it into law.
But the speaker held a different opinion, noting that with the absence of appropriation, the bill however, could not be implemented.
To save the House from further debate, the Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business, Rep. Edward Pwajok, moved for an Amendment to include that the bill becomes effective from the date it is assented to.
The bill therefore, passed third reading on the floor of the house.
The House is to harmonise with its counterparts in the senate for onward transmission to the president for his assent.
