Senate, NCWS Push for Domestic Workers’ Inclusion in Minimum Wage Scheme

The Senate and the National Council for Women Society (NCWS) are advocating for the inclusion of domestic servants in the proposed ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage Scheme.

The call for inclusion came during a public hearing on a bill aimed at providing for the domestication and registration of domestic workers and employers in Nigeria. The hearing, which took place yesterday, was organized by the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour, and Productivity, led by Senator Diket Plang (APC Plateau Central). The bill was sponsored by Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC Jigawa North West).

Senator Osita Izunaso (APC Imo West) was a vocal advocate for the inclusion of domestic workers in the National Minimum Wage Scheme. He stated, “As a member of this committee, I feel strongly that part of the provisions to be included in this bill is to incorporate domestic workers, whether housemaids or servants, into the proposed ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage law. As ₦70,000 is being planned as the minimum wage for the lowest public workers, so should it be for the least domestic workers. We are going to put it in the bill for implementation by all employers.”

Izunaso suggested that the bill’s focus should shift from mere domestication and protection of domestic workers and employers to their registration and protection.

Acting National President of NCWS, Mrs. Geraldeen Etuk, also argued for the inclusion of domestic servants in the proposed National Minimum Wage law, stating the organization’s full support for the bill.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ismaila Abubakar, expressed the Ministry’s welcome for the bill. Other supporters included the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Nanny Academy, and See Hope Nigeria, among others.

After the public hearing, Senator Babangida Hussaini expressed satisfaction with the broad support the bill received but voiced concerns about the practical implementation of including domestic workers in the national minimum wage. “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,” he remarked.

Senator Diket Plang noted that an agency would be established for the implementation of the proposed law, with the Ministry of Labour and Productivity driving the operation from the onset.