House of Representative is Working on a Legislation to Criminalise Late Payment of Pension

House of Representative is working on a legislation to criminalise late payment of pension and ensure prompt payment of salaries, pensions and other emoluments to workers in Nigeria.

The bill is expected to prohibit late or underpayment of workers salaries, pension and other emoluments in Nigeria. The bill, allegedly being sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, will also prescribe penalties for violations and other related matters.

The bill also provides sanctions for directors of public limited liability companies who default in the payment of salaries and other benefits that accrued to workers. The legislation will be applicable to Nigerians working as full employee or contract staff/apprentice (either through oral or written agreement) in the public and private sectors.

Below are extracts from the Bill;

“An employer who withholds salary, wage, pension and any other benefit and emolument of any worker for a period of seven days and above, in respect of other monetary benefits shall pay 30% of such monetary benefits for the period.”

“An employer who fails in its obligation for a period of 60 days and above shall be liable to fine of 30% of the wage for the duration and one month imprisonment and 30% fine of two months’ wage for a period of 30 to 60 days.

“Fine of 20% of one month’s wage for a period of eight to 30 days; and 10% fine of the one month’s wage for a period of one to seven days respectively.”