During a public hearing at the National Assembly in Abuja, the Senate and the National Council for Women Society (NCWS) jointly pushed for the inclusion of domestic servants in the proposed N70,000 National Minimum Wage Scheme.
Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC, Jigawa North West), sponsor of the bill seeking an Act to provide for Domestication and Registration of domestic workers and employers in Nigeria, chaired by Senator Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central), led discussions.
Senator Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West) emphasized the importance of integrating domestic workers, such as housemaids and servants, into the N70,000 National Minimum Wage law, aligning their wages with those of other low-income public workers.
He suggested adjusting the bill from domestication to registration and enhancing the protection of domestic workers and employers.
NCWS Acting National President, Mrs. Geraldeen Etuk, echoed these sentiments, advocating for domestic servants’ inclusion under the proposed National Minimum Wage law.
Despite challenges in practical implementation, Senator Babangida Hussaini expressed optimism about the bill’s prospects, citing broad support from stakeholders, including the Minister of Labour, for its enactment.
Senator Diket Plang highlighted plans for an implementing agency under the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to oversee the proposed law’s execution.
