By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Senate yesterday demanded the inclusion of domestic servants in the proposed N70,000 National Minimum Wage Scheme.
The red chamber also justified the need for their compulsory documentation with a proposed federal agency for proper and adequate monitoring.
The call for the inclusion of domestic servants in the National Minimum wage was also hailed by the National Council for Women Society (NCWS), and other stakeholders at the National Assembly yesterday.
The NCWS, some government officials, and other stakeholders gave support for the proposed legislation during a public hearing on a Bill for an Act to provide for Domestication and Registration of Domestic Workers and Employers in Nigeria.
The Bill, sponsored by Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC Jigawa North West), was organised by the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity chaired by Senator Diket Plang (APC Plateau Central).
A member of the Senate panel, Senator Osita Izunaso (APC Imo West), started the call for the inclusion of domestic servants in the National Minimum Wage Scheme, during his remarks at the public hearing.
He said, “As a member of this committee, I feel strongly that part of the provisions to be included in this bill is to include the domestic workers be it housemaid or servants, in the proposed N70,000 National Minimum wage law.
“As N70,000 is being planned to be the lowest wage for the lowest public workers, so should be the case for least domestic workers. We are going to put it in the bill for implementation by all employers.”
He, however, suggested that instead of domestication and protection of domestic workers and employers, the amendment of the bill should be changed to registration and protection of domestic workers and their employers.
Also, the Acting National President of NCWS, Mrs Geraldeen Etuk, argued for the inclusion of domestic servants in the proposed National Minimum Wage law.
Other members of the committee and stakeholders, expressed their support for the Bill and the need to include domesticated workers in the National Minimum Wage Scheme.
*Bill demands compulsory domestic workers’ documentation with govt agency
In an interview with the sponsor of the bill, Senator Babangida Hussaini said he was elated by the general support the bill got from the various stakeholders and other relevant stakeholders.
He, however, expressed doubts over the practical implementation of the additional scope of inclusion of domestic workers into the national minimum wage.
He said, “There is no point making a law that cannot be implemented but I’m happy that the generality of stakeholders at the public hearing, supported the bill and by extension, the proposed law.”
Earlier in his remarks during the session, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Diket Plang, said an agency will surely be set up for the implementation of the proposed law, but the Ministry of Labour and Productivity will drive the operation from the onset.
