The Senate is jointly recommending the National Council for Women (NCWS) to include domestic workers in the proposed N70,000 National Minimum Wage.
The proposal emerged during a public hearing at the National Assembly in Abuja, where a bill to establish the domicile and registration of domestic workers and their employers in Nigeria was discussed.
The hearing was organized by the Senate Committee on Business, Employment and Employment- chaired by Senator Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central)-with Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC, Jigawa North West); and he agreed to it.
Senator Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West), who led the push for the inclusion of domestic workers in the Minimum Wage Scheme, stressed the need for these workers to enjoy the same wage security benefits as an emphasis on other low-income workers. He said, “As a member of the committee, I strongly believe that domestic workers, servants and maids should be included in the N70,000 minimum wage bill. If N70,000 can be the minimum for minimum wage civil servants, it must also apply to minimum paid domestic workers. We will ensure that this is reflected in the Bill for all employers to implement.”
Senator Izunaso also proposed changing the focus of the bill from just domestic work and protection to registering and protecting domestic workers and their employers.
Similarly, Acting NCWS National President, Mrs. Geraldine Etuck, supported the inclusion of domestic workers in the National Minimum Wage Act.
Senator Plang emphasized the creation of a task force to oversee the implementation of the proposed law, with the Ministry of Labor and Industry taking the lead in the initial phase.
