The House of Representatives is proposing a bill to criminalise non-payment or failure to pay salaries by employers of labour and corporate bodies across the country.

When passed into law, employees can demand payment from their employer by submitting a written claim.

The bill, sponsored by Wale Hammed, a member representing the Agege Federal Constituency, Lagos State, titled, “The Employees Remuneration Protection Bill, 2023, has passed its first reading.

Section 7 (1) of the bill provides that it is unlawful for any employer to “Refuse or neglect to pay the remuneration of his employees, as provided under this Act.”

Section 8 (1) of the bill states that if an employee’s compensation remains unpaid beyond the specified period permitted by this legislation, the employee may submit a written demand to their employer for the payment of their entitlement if they wish to assert their claim.

Therefore, “if an employee fails to remit payment within five business days following service of a demand under Section 9 of this bill, the employee may petition the court for redress by filing a motion on notice.”

According to the bill, employers found guilty of failing to pay the salaries of their workers risk three to six months of imprisonment, without the possibility of a fine.


Similarly, a corporate entity that fails to adhere to a court order regarding the remuneration of its employees, risks a fine of N10,000 daily, or “Be sealed off for a period not exceeding three months, provided that the default extends beyond two months.”

This is even as the bill imposes a N10,000 penalty on any officer or agent of the organisation, government parastatal, agency, body, or institution who deliberately or knowingly authorises or permits the default or noncompliance with the directive until it is complied with.

With this proposed legislation, employers are obligated to provide written terms of employment to resuming employees within 14 working days of the employee’s return to work for terms of employment exceeding one month.

The employment contract, which is binding on both the employer and the employee shall comprehensively outline the terms and conditions, remuneration, and methods of payment, in addition to the character of the employment and the procedure for terminating it by either party.

Section 27 of the bill provides that an employee’s petition to the court for payment of remuneration shall not serve as grounds for “Disciplinary action, inquiry, suspension, or termination of the applicant by the employer.”

Meanwhile, Section 28 of the bill states that in the event of an employer’s bankruptcy, prioritisation shall be given to the payment of all outstanding remuneration to employees.

https://punchng.com/reps-propose-jail-term-for-employers-owing-salary/?utm_source=telegram&utm_medium=social

And who will jail or propose a jail term for FG owing civil servants and retirees their life-long sweat?

What of the Federal Government that owes pensions, arrears and gratuities? Some past Governors need to be brought to book.

I swear, Nigeria is a cruise. Which Employer in this country owes more than the Governments itself?

Prison go full well well

I will be really happy if it can become a law. A lot of people in the private sector go hear am

Please they should take it serious ooo, cause average nigerian employees the suffer for that matter

Solution8:
Many governors should be going to jail then

I don't see Governors going to jail because of it, it will mostly affect the private sector.

Hehehe

Good move.

How about the ones paying peanuts too?

According to the bill, employers found guilty of failing to pay the salaries of their workers risk three to six months of imprisonment, without the possibility of a fine.

Easy solution fire the weak links. Then make one guy do the work of two. Finally pay what you owe.

Meanwhile, Section 28 of the bill states that in the event of an employer’s bankruptcy, prioritisation shall be given to the payment of all outstanding remuneration to employees.

The totem pole for bankruptcy moves from lenders on top to employees. Lol corporate debt just got riskier. Corporate bond holder will be having a word with their representatives.

Yahaya bello will be in a prisoner for the rest of his life

gaby:
And who will jail or propose a jail term for FG owing civil servants and retirees their life-long sweat?

And also paying civil servants in percentage and owing other statutory benefits...!!

Rubbish!! You give immunity to governors how will you be able to jail them

Sunday2021:
Rubbish!! You give immunity to governors how will you be able to jail them

Jail the heads of the departments then. If they want a lenient sentence they can become informants then snitch on the governor. If they're too loyal to snitch, they can take the heat and sit in federal prison. Remember, the governor doesn't get to pardon federal law offenders.

More unemployment

How about NFF that always owes our Nigerian Coaches salary e.g. Peseirro, Stephen Keshi, etc ?