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Thursday, 9 January 2014

N7,000 a month? How do we enforce minimum wage in Nigeria?

I ran into a woman this week who earns N7,000 a month at restaurant in Surulere. She's required to resume by 8 in the morning and close at 8pm everyday, Monday to Saturday. She lives in Orile, which means she pays transport to get from her house to work every day. She told me that her boss gives her N200 every week as transport allowance. And she feels lucky!

I asked her why do you do this job, how can N7,000 help you survive in a month? And her reply was;
"N7,000 small? Many of the people wey I know no dey even earn reach N5,000 for one month. My small sister dey work for supermarket dey earn N4,000. Where I dey live people dey roam about they beg money wey dem go take buy food chop. Some people no dey even see N50 for one week. With my salary I go buy food stuff put for house for my pikin dem. I no dey too spend money for transport because I dey wake up early to trek reach (she mentioned the place - can't remember) from there I take bus reach Bode Thomas. And I dey collect N200 every week, so that one sef dey help."
I was amazed at how satisfied she was with earning that amount of money and surviving well on it, especially with two kids. But isn't the minimum wage in Nigeria supposed to be N18,000? There are millions of Nigerians who earn way less than that. Is there something that can be done about it? Is the Nigerian minimum wage applicable to private business owners or just government workers?

195 comments:

  1. Since you have so much money you should have given her some.

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    1. Stupid comment alert!!! What about millions living on the same or even lesser salaries? Linda should give them money too? Nigerians!! We are our own problem

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    2. You must be very silly... Is dat wat u shd say? Hissssss

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    3. What's this sophomoric imbecilic futtard saying? Listen to yourself Dindirin!

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    4. Ara gu shi kwa'igi! Ewu Gambia. See no be by force to post comment o. So dat she brought this issue to limelight is nt enuf. Wat hv u done for ur parents 1st, let alone poor ppl? Bonga fish

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    5. U r juz so pathetic. Wud hv said u r foolish if it were last year. @ topic. Some state qovt in niqeria hvnt implement d minimum waqe let alone private. + its only apllicable 2 qovt workers.

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    6. U are a lousy Idiot.....One of d reasons ds country is not moving . If she had given her must she state it here ? I wonder what kind of good leadership we all crying for when the mentality of d people is so shallow *smh*

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    7. Na by force to comment ni? If she give her money will it help million people dat ar earning less. Abeg pack well joor

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    8. Lol...well said

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    9. Shut dat dirt hole you call a mouth..

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    10. If keep shut if u have notin to say.

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    11. Lmfao....dude u so funny. Linda it is well.

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    12. *plz keep shut if u have notin to say.

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    13. U are very rude n stupid for saying such a tin... is people like u who still make this country the way it is today. If really u dnt have anytin useful to comment then, shut u trap up!

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    14. U get sense at all???? Via-279E2E09

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    15. Linda,not every1 rakes in #17 million every month like you do,that the woman is even contented with the little she earns goes to show Naija can still be better.
      *ajokeade*

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    16. I taya o!...how many. Employees do. U have and what's their renumarations like?????...kindly state it with proof... Thaankz!

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    17. I taya o!...how many. Employees do. U have and what's their renumarations like?????...kindly state it with proof... Thaankz!

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    18. Am speechless
      May God help us all.
      7k ke! Smh

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    19. Mondola Stainless9 January 2014 at 20:15

      LOL. Why u dey harsh lik dis,no be evry Liber Linda giv 100k biko.

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    20. Your comment is soooo dumb. Am sorry if that is insulting but I feel really irritated with your nonchalant tone. Is giving her some money the problem or is that going to answer her question of whether N18, 000 minimum wage is applicable to private business owners or is it going to solve the problem for Nigerians like her? Do you even think Linda will come and post it here what and how much she gave her if she did? She is not some of our nollywood actresses for your information.

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    21. U are a lousy Idiot.....One of d reasons ds country is not moving . If she had given her must she state it here ? I wonder what kind of good leadership we all crying for when the mentality of d people is so shallow *smh*

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    22. So Linda dearie, what did you do to alleviate her plight? Perhaps, offer to sponsor one or both of her kids education. It's not by accident your paths crossed, I'm sure it's for a divine purpose for the woman's lifting. I trust you sha and I know you will put a smile, a permanent smile on that woman's face. God bless your hustle. My regards to Laura.

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  2. Naawaa ooooo! Abeg Mr Reno answer this one

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    1. Mke I even copy d link tweet am for Mr. Omokri.

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  3. Replies
    1. To show your stupidity? Yes you are.

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  4. Good. So next time before you post all those Chika Ike's pictures you will understand how insensitive it is for some folks to see all that.

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    1. Dude trust me, it's jst us dat knw of Chikaz ish. Those one r oblivious; dem neva chop finish whr dem wan see internet? U cnt b dat broke n afford d luxury of seeing LIB.
      If u feel "hurt" by Ike's spending, maybe that's jst jealousy, wch is very ok.

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    2. Dude trust me, it's jst us dat knw of Chikaz ish. Those one r oblivious; dem neva chop finish whr dem wan see internet? U cnt b dat broke n afford d luxury of seeing LIB.
      If u feel "hurt" by Ike's spending, maybe that's jst jealousy, wch is very ok.

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    3. oyakhilome eroms9 January 2014 at 20:51

      God bless you anonymous. Linda, stop worshipping other celeb's vanity trips and rather, be the voice of the poor advising our socalled celebs to channel some of their Godgiven wealth to charity...not pass handouts to orphans for publicity stunts on their birthdays. Thanks.

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  5. too bad...God be with us!!!..God Bless Nigeria!!!

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  6. This shit happens cos we don't ve a govt, and of course with her 7k, shes limited with her wants n needs.... and d kids will definitely be attending public schools n won't ve what kids of their age have. only God can help us in this country and bottom line, she's contented with what she has.

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  7. na wa... God please help us in this country. its really crazy. we can only thank God

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  8. I swear dis country is a big joke

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    1. No be lie my sister. Naija is a big mess. Suffering & smilling.

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  9. How much do we graduates earn in glo?after all the years spent in the uni,nothing to show for working in a multinational company and u talking about minimum wage? Nigerians are suffering only if they can be heard,no one is ready to make that change happen anytime soon...God help us all..

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    1. Point of correction,Glo is not a multinational.

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    2. Point of correction Glo is a multinational. Even though its a nigerian owned biz. It has grown across to other countries. Olodo feeling funky

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  10. That's if it's a federal govt company not private companies, they pay watevr to get their jobs done. Pple are desperatly searchin 4 job and can accept any offer just to eat.' Ti ounje ba kuro ninu ise, ise buse'

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  11. Linda God bless you!d hardship is indeed too much,it crazy I just hope this present government will step up 4 us in this country.

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  12. 7000? To even think of 18000! Oh God y am NT grateful over the type of pay I receive! Father lord thank you

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  13. Pls we need answers because the poverty rate in this country is really alarming and abnormal.

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  14. Its well,that's all I can say.....

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  15. Linda ur head no correct. So if u earn a small business centre dt makes abt 30K in a mnth 4 instance, u mean ur employee wil b paid 18k? Hw wil u feed ur own family n do maintenance services....

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    1. So u are defending ur self or what's ur meaningless comment abt ? U must be feeling like one business owner ? CEO mind ? HisssSs

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    2. you no need abuse linda na

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    3. Shut up fool if you mk 30k a month why do u wanna employ someone

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    4. I. Wonda o!...pay rents and. Billlss...tho some employers are wicked and stingy!

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    5. U fit tell ur senior sister say her head norcorrect. I which say I see ur face so I go give u ur size Congo. Mr melvin say so.

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    6. U are a fool. Read b4 U comment.

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    7. Its obvious that you don't even have a head at all not to talk of it being correct. If your business centre makes N30, 000 a month then you have noright employing at that stage of the business. Do it yourself and keep all the profit for yourself and the business. Ode buruku.

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  16. Just imagine how things are run in this wonderful country.

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  17. Best post i have seen on your blog Lady.

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  18. Its so pathetic considering what sme people earn.I think the minimum wage shd be applicable to private business bt there shd be a checkmate on d income of d private businesses in order to stipulate how much shd be their own minimum wage.

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    1. Nice comment.u re the new MICH!cldnt help but comment.pple suffer a lot in ds country.u think u don't ve enuf wen there re pple who don't ve at all.greed is our biggest problem.my dad is a politician.he will tell u that the problem is dt pple jst want to eat both 'capital' n profit.everybody wants to get a large chunk.naija is so rich,but pple in power don't care abt those suffering.I had to study medicine to secure my meal ticket at least.its jst pathetic

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  19. MY DEAR LINDA NIGERIA IS IN A BAD SHAPE AND PEOPLE ARE NOT SMILING AT ALL, SO MANY EMPLOYERS ARE USING PPLE BADLY!! MY FRIEND GOT A JOB SHE DECLINED BCOS U'LL WORK 6DAYS A WEEK 12 HOURS DAILY FOR A STIPED! MY PPLE DEY SUFFER ........MY FIRST JOB IN LAGOS WAS 2,000 IN 1995 AND I LEAVE IN KETU AND WORK AT IDUMOTA BUT I WAS SO SATIFIED !! TK GOD FOR TODAY .......

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  20. Even Lagos state govt isn't paying d minimum wage.

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  21. Dis is shameful.7000 ke?? how do people survive on this?? God punish such wicked employers..

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  22. Nigeria I hail thee. No hope atall but with God all things are possible.

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  23. Just govt workers linda. 7k cud be ntin to sum, bt its a lot to odas. 7k is beta than 0k

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  24. that picture wanna make me cry. the hardship is really too much!!! I weep for my country

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  25. Jesus! That's not up to $50 monthly! Naija!

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    1. My dear $44 to be exact... My stomach is turning and heart is hurting... The things I take for granted, $44 chai chai chai

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  26. Lindodo I know uve got a kind heart but evry body can't b like u.so many wicked pple all around d world so wat do u xpect.don't b surprised u hear

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    1. And how do you know she has a kind heart.can you see inside her heart.

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  27. Nice topic. I'm impressed today Linda. Even some government agencies do not pay the minimum wage not to talk of private businesses. Nothing is regulated in this country that have politicians and leaders with misplaced priorities.

    Nigeria is the only country where a grad is serving his country and left at the mercy of his sometimes very hostile environment and is given a meagre minimum wage while an illiterate militant is given millions of dollar$ annually for destroying national resources. Pathetic country.

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    1. On point. We need revolution in ds country.

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  28. Our so called Labour law isn't helpn in any way. I know people that earn small and I also ask how do they survive. Is sad when u go out and see how people are suffering. My cousin came all the way from d east for IT, she told me d company offered to pay her 8k and I screamed and to ma surprise she said she was told that it use to be 5k that it was just increased to 8K. I have to pay her fare with my own small big pay. Such is life. Linda, people are suffering out there. I pray God bless me to bless and help people that is the work I want to do 4 God. Most times it brings tears to my eyes. I know I will do it.

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    1. U r talking of 8k wen I did my IT I was paid 6k. The company is in oregun.

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    2. I was paid 0k for my IT at General Hospital (DQCL) ikeja...

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  29. I felt so bad for this woman. When are we going to get a better government and economy.

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  30. There is absolutely no standard especially with these so called "one man business" people- It is well even in the well!

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  31. Nigeria has a great problem with enforcement. It doesn't matter what the thing is. Minimum wage in America is $7 an hour and nobody dares to pay lower. It could result in the company being closed down. The problem in Nigeria with most employees is illiteracy and poverty. And with employers, it is the greedy belief that they are helping those they employed. Even educated employees are not left out. It is only in Nigeria that graduates are paid 40, 000 Naira a month. For what? I say what can that do? For Christ sake, that's just about $250 dollars. Yet, terrorists, militants and political agberos are making more money than the educated citizens from the same government enriched by taxpayers' hard earned money. I see a great brain drain in the future if actions are not taken now.

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    1. In the future?we already have that.

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    2. Laws don't work in nigeria and we all knw that..Only God can help us.ve bin looking for that 40k job since sef to no avail..I tire for this ph city o..

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    3. My dear, I'm a graduate and working in a state ministry. At level 8, we are being paid N30,000. The 40k u are talking about is for those in level 14 in state ministry. I was rejected a UK visa becos of my salary. They said its like I wanted to elope in UK wit my little girl. And probably my husband is some arranged man who wants to use his own account statement to see us to d uk. What an insult.

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  32. My dear Linda that's Nigeria 4 u ooo, very shamless country with greedy leaders. Many people live like that in this country nd d only way it can b stopped is by bringing down those shamless politicians nd putting those we want eg young youths who knows wat it feels like.

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  33. Its sad.but Linda you said it yourself,a few short years ago,you didn't have 20k to your name and you are a graduate.

    There are multiples of millions of people,graduates and non graduates that have no clue where their next meal is coming from nor where they will sleep at night.

    And you wonder why some people are so angry at indiscreet display of wealth on blogs etc.

    Back to what can be done,when Nigerians rise up to hold our leaders accountable,stoning them publicly,they will begin to do right with all the resources they are custodians of.it will not eradicate poverty,but it will drop the index a whole lot.

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  34. As a graduate I was paid N15,000 monthly in my last job,I just resigned last year September now I am jobless.God help us in this Country

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    1. My dear create a job for urself, learn how to bake , decorations, small chops nd al nd u wil make more than 20k monthly, if I may ask how much do I pay my SSCE sales girl dat a whole graduate wil wait a whole 30days for 15k....May God bless d works of our hands o cos seriously Nigeria is a big Joke.

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    2. Why did you resign without another job to fall back on? Just curious. There has to be more to the story.

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  35. My Dear Aunty lindaAa,ppl hve lots of experiences o even worse....

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  36. It shud be applicable to a certain level of education I think... like school set or something.
    But I doubt it can be appl

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  37. Always count ur blessings and give thanks to God,i can feel the lady and i admire her courage for not giving up!.........our country is really suck it's only the rich that are getting richer where the youths are losing hope

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  38. 85% of people in lagos are suffering and smiling *shakingMypunk*

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  39. Ironing of life!!, too bad.... guess we can't do much cos u pay staff based on the how big ur business capacity

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  40. Is N18,000 minimum wage enough for someone living in Dis country? D Nigeria lawmakers and government are so wicked. Can they give their mistresses N18,000 and still expect her to come back? Dat Ur mistress get papa or mama wey dey work morning till not for dat same peanut. How much is school fees and house rent in Nigeria? Not to talk of feeding. Yet corpers are complaining of N29,000 while their parents saw them thru school wit 18,000 or less. Dis page won't be enough for all I want to say. Lawmakers, how much is Ur torch allowance? Are u all now watch nit or what. U pay less to those generating d income for d country while u take all. Have a change of mind in Nigeria.

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  41. it is well in naija...as for those of us that earn more than the minimum wage should give thanks to God,this woman's tale is just one amongst many and i mean many more

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  42. Is N18,000 minimum wage enough for someone living in Dis country? D Nigeria lawmakers and government are so wicked. Can they give their mistresses N18,000 and still expect her to come back? Dat Ur mistress get papa or mama wey dey work morning till not for dat same peanut. How much is school fees and house rent in Nigeria? Not to talk of feeding. Yet corpers are complaining of N29,000 while their parents saw them thru school wit 18,000 or less. Dis page won't be enough for all I want to say. Lawmakers, how much is Ur torch allowance? Are u all now watch nit or what. U pay less to those generating d income for d country while u take all. Have a change of mind in Nigeria.

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  43. Hope u get a response from the authorities Linda cos I'd really love to hear their explanation.

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  44. My dearest Linda, you're indeed lucky o, people are suffering in this country, I earn 55000 a month , I leave the house by past 5am and get home by to 9 becos of traffic, I spend about 30k for transport and feeding in a month, I don't get feeding or transport allowance from my work place, so what if I have to pay my rent, feed, cloth, send money home, and do other things? I still even thank God every day for my life and my job because I know there are people who earn lesser, anyways it is well, when there's life there's hope..

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  45. Dis is serious

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  46. That's the Nigeria we have come to know and L♥√ع !!! Buh idealy,the minimum wage of 18,000 should cut across govt/private companies!

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  47. Am happy you brought this up Linder.The maltreatment and despicable working conditions and exploitation going on in the private sector in Nigeria is beyond comprehension.Every un-ethical thing you can think of is going on and the Labour congress only sneeze when it involves subsidy removal or fuel hike.In my opinion the Nigeria Government is more responsible than an average employer of labour.I have always said Nigerians are a reflection of their government.The abuse going on in private sector is crazy.Only Nigeria do u a an employed Msc Human Resources going to buy pepper for her boss and she will doing with smiles in the name of trying to be the most loyal employee.

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  48. That's naija for you.

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  49. It's so saddening! to think someone can be satisfied wiv 7k a month( that will not even pay some pple's dstv subscription) we need revolution in Nigeria and this can only materialise if we youths can fight for our rights, stand our ground and unseat those old cargoes who have nothing to offer than to suck the nation dry. God help my country, I still love my country no matter what

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  50. u go fear ajebo linda

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  51. Private institutn doesn't apply. Besides many pple r jobless n desperate so easy n cheap labour. Pple need 2 make profit. It will take awhile 2 fix d prob. Justa sayin... D Curious1

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  52. How would he ask ds kind of question? Is he just coming into Nigeria? Is it gov't that own private bizz? Since u are sorry u can help d masses.

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  53. Linda u can't pay more if you are running a business ie trading. That n7k is even better. Food shops are paying n5k here in ph. No be say I hear, I know them. What do you think casual staff ends in oil n gas? I work in hr and my sister u wouldn't believe. Happy she is ok with it. But its too poor. Let it start from oil firms then improvement will follow from others.

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  54. i fing it shld b applicable mehn c hrdship dis wan pass gobe tnk God i'm self employed i'm happy wif my life THAT AKWA IBOM BOY

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  55. Linda plz help me ask ( Oga On Top) u hear tnx.EBY

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  56. Linda you have hit it where it hurts. I have been an employer since 2008 in Lagos and I cant imagine paying N7,000 a month to someone. I actually pay my least staff N15,000 a month and she is a cleaner in the office. She cleans in the morning and goes to sleep and cleans in the evening before we close by 5pm. People should look at these things from a personal angle o. I know businesses are suffering but I rather not employ at all.

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  57. U can dash her ur Jimmy choo shoe maybe she can sell it and use it to start biz....mumu!!!@ surprised at how satisfied she was. some pple are actually content.

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  58. £20 a month! How do pale live nd survive in Nigeria!

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  59. Suffer suffer suffer suffer suffer suffer for world,na ur choice be that#in the voice of fella

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  60. The level of poverty in Nigeria is just too much. She feels lucky maybe because of the mentality she has or because she has so suffered to the point that 7k is like 17 k. God should please intervene cos people are really going crazy on the streets. It's not every mad person that you see on the streets that got mad as a result of drugs or juju,some got mad cos of poverty and frustration,it's really getting outta hand and our government's not even helping issues at all. The rich is getting richer and the poor poorer.

    -Blunt Ibo boy-

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  61. Hardship is too much in Nigeria, many people are suffering and our Government does not care. It is a pathetic thing and i feel the pains each time i remember this long suffering in our society. God please have mercy.

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  62. N7,000 a month? That na 1 dress money na, its not even enuff 4 me 2 spend in a week for transport n other tinz... the Govt shud really look @ all these tins oooo so much labour for wayyyyyyy to small money... Lord help us.

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  63. Linda im in awe of your photographic memory, this one you remembered the poor woman's words word for word.lol

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  64. Dear Lord as I am abt to round off wiv my service n ve my baby. Pls Lord provide for me n my fiance that good job I ve always begged u for, amen. Sewzann

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  65. This is d type of reports that should earn you awards, not the copy and paste you specialise in.

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  66. This į̸̸̨§ just outragious!!! Pls FG do sometin abt dis!!!

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  67. chinasa enyinnaya9 January 2014 at 17:34

    The senate and house of rep should look into dis case.

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  68. God help us all! Maybe the restaurant is owned by one of these dem Indians or Lebanese people...just maybe!

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  69. That is a brave and content Nigerian woman. Linda if everyone is as content as she is...minimum wage wouldn't even be an issue.

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  70. My sister you sef know say minimum wage is never applicable in all private org as many use and pay staff in proportion to the org profit eg banks,engineering & construction firm etc.

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  71. Thanks Linda for putting up this post. There are still some Nigerians that don't believe the level of poverty in the country. 7000 naira is just 44 dollars in a month!

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  72. Minimum wage should cut across!

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  73. We simply have goats who don't know shit about leadership in government in this country & I don't blame them cos we everyday common Nigerians are the real definitions of STUPID. Nothing concerns us as long as it doesn't affect us directly (regardless of whether it affects us even in the long run). People would cry all day nagging how they're tired of the wrongs in Nigeria & when elections come they won't go out to vote cos "no be my business,dem don already know who go win". *sigh* SO PATHETIC.
    A lot of the ones who would go & vote would vote based on sentiments or have their votes bought for peanuts.
    To be honest, I don't really feel as much pity as I used to feel for us Nigerians cos I've come to realize WE ARE OUR OWN PROBLEMS & WE LOVE SUFFERING. When we get tired of suffering,our eyes would open & we would realize our country belongs to us & it is our duty by any means necessary to build her to greatness rather than doing shit always & expecting good results.
    People would be complaining of how dirty their area is & yet these same people would still be throwing dirt around & littering this same place. When you ask them why they just did that, they would be so quick to say "no be me start am na so no be me go end am." Then you'd wonder if this same person was possessed few minutes ago when he was complaining.
    If our stupid government was serious, nobody would dare pay any worker any amount below the legislated minimum wage but then again, do they care? How much can the legislated minimum wage even do?
    I say it again....WHEN WE ARE READY FOR CHANGE,WE WOULD BRING THAT CHANGE BY OURSELVES BUT SO FAR, SO GOOD, WE'RE STILL ENJOYING SUFFERING.

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  74. Minimum wage is applicable only to Government workers. You can't apply such wages to a private business, not all can afford that, especially the SME's.

    In addition:
    I love the fighting spirit of the woman. She plan to stay okay upon the circumstances surrounding her. She is a good manager. Thumbs Up!

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  75. As linda way you be you for employ am

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  76. Linda e go just good make you go for president of Nigeria as igeria's first female president

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  77. Linda for President

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  78. I was talking abt this to someone here in the UK, abt unregulated the Nigerian private sector is. It leave way too much room for exploitation, cos people have to self-regulate. How do u expect an employer who is out to make maximum profit to accept to take loss in his business (especially with our very terrible infrastructure)? He would rather d workers bear a heavier burden than he would (am using he here for both male and female). So this leads to sheer slavery (some slaves are always content, aren't they). Zero job security, practically no improvement opportunites & peanuts as salary. Itz incredibly sad.

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  79. Lily you don't know what people are passing through. I taught as a primary school teacher even with degree in elect/elect & was paid 10k. I smiled home monthly. D owner of the school in world bank Owerri is still owing me 1month salary cos I got a better job. My kid sis who graduated with 2nd class upper went 4 an interview & she was told her salary is 7k. She ran. U can now see what is going on. Mayb itz only in govt establishments. Thank God I belong there now. But I don't think it also applies to Federal establishments cos someone I know state civil service earns same with some ministries in fed civisl service. Na God go save us. $£.

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  80. Oh God...n I usually lament most times when I go 2 visit some of my uncles n d̶̲̥̅̊ε̲̣̣̣̥γ̲̣̣̥ giv ♍ƺ 5k or evn 10k sef 2 'put 4 pocket' ...dis lyf is J̶̲̥̅̊u̶̲̥̅̊S̤̥̈̊τ̲̣̣̥ 2 complicated...God I'm grateful 4 all I Н̲̣̣A̶̲̅vε̲̣̣̣̥ o...it is well!

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  81. Perhaps Linda you should find out how much of the "minimum wage" is left after tax,pension,nhf etc is removed from the salary of a federal civil servant before complaining that someone is earning 7k monthly

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  82. We only have the government to blame on this,they just give out laws and don't care if it is implemented,the law is applicable to all business sector private or government. God help us


    #mr pen

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  83. After reading alot of comments, i have to comment on them:

    Let us face reality.
    "How much can they give you that will satisfy you."? Human needs are insatiable. An SME(for example) that makes 18. 000 in a month as profit, how much do you expect him/her to pay his/her worker?

    Minimum wage, is not the problem but the economy. that's why i ask, how much can satisfied you? no amount can satisfy anybody in this world. you wonder why the rich keep investing? The answer: is to stay ahead of inflation.

    An economy that is highly inflated in food, transport, manufacturing etc. What can a common man do? Until we repair the economy and create more wealth(and not stealing from tax payers money), then we can see a new dynamic nation emerging.

    THE HARD TRUTH:
    The problems of Nigeria are Nigerians.

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  84. U won't really blame d employers cos u don't know hw much dey earn.it just God that will help this country.smh!

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  85. Tot d minimum wage applied 2only govt parastatals

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  86. Nawa ooo! A lot of people are suffering in this counry. May God help us

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  87. And this is how Nigeria encourages theft and prostitution.

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  88. The sufferness is just to Much!!! Can u Imagine 8k Monthly? That's crazy!

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  89. Frm ur story, it clearly shows d deplorable state of the Nigeria economy. Meanwhile some pple are receiving less dan hers. May God help us all.

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  90. There's a bank in naija that pays its cleaners 10k, Naija's a joke....

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  91. Even in the lagos state governor's office, temporary staffs who r graduate are been paid 10k monthly

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  92. Was visiting lagos and I bought Jollof rice, 2 snails, fish, vegetable and maltina at a restaurant in Ikeja and the bill was about 2000 naira. Not familiar with lagos but if surulere is like Ikeja then it's safe to say the restaurants there probably charge the same. A 7000 naira monthly take home is just Crazy! If she complains the boss will find someone who will be happy to do it for 6000. Pretty much unlike teachers who can go on strike and demand for a raise, people like her are stuck. What exactly is the job of all these local govt officials? Can they regulate things? A good way to help people like her is to have a system where restaurant owners can report their earnings and use that to come up with a fair wage. That way it's not the same for everyone cuz if u only charge 50 naira for a plate of Jollof you shouldn't be expected to pay ur workers the same amount someone else who charges 500 naira will.

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  93. may God help us in ds country

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  94. This is bad. We should start enforcing and people who can't run businesses effectively should stop hiring people. If ur monthly income is 35k naira don't hire someone fill time so u can form big man or madam...Do ur maths and do it well. government too needs to their part in educating people who work in such companies. The harsh reality is everyone is short changing each other at expense of their humanity. Hope this type of discussion continues every where and we stop wasting time voting for people who don't care.

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  95. I feel bad for the lady and all Nigerians in her shoes but we also need to hear from the small scale Enterprenuer who is trying to start or sustain his business without any help or support from govt or banks in terms of Soft Loans,administrative knowledge etc.Cos they have to sustain their business in terms of logistics(by using generators,sink boreholes,pay for private security etc)How does such a business owner break even to enable him make profit and pay his staff well?Its not easy either way!we need HELP!

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  96. The people deserve the govt they get. If they want a change, let them vote out their oppressors by voting for candidates who share their aspiration. Let them free themselves from political apathy. 2015: Power must change hands!

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  97. Dear Linda I work as a sales girl in resturant in Aguda surulere my salary ne 9,000 a month, resume at 7am and close until d last customer leaves...at I deyy reach house by past 10pm sometimes 11pm sef wetin man go do? The only gain be say I go eat morning, afternoon and night food there

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  98. Erm you can go and house help 18 k , plz linda abeg leave it out, stick to blgging, ur not a politician ,

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  99. hmmmn...Corruption is the order of the day. Our legislators dont care about the masses.

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  100. This is your best post so far. Please, more of this kind of topics should be discussed here.

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  101. I know a graduate employed by a 'foreign company' in Lagos as a contract staff with no salary but only commission. God help you if you don't close any deal in 3months, and the commission is not even paid in full until after a year. It goes 50% now and the other 50% in 12months. That to me is neo slavery, if you permit me to use that word.
    Now the question is why will a company do that in this country, the CEO is even a foreigner and he's chilling. In my opinion labour laws should be strengthen, so that across board the minimum wage will be a baseline.

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  102. Linda, the thing is, it will get worst. Our population is projected to grow above the US by 2050. Ranking 9ja as the 4th most populous country on earth at 402m. In 1950, we were about 37m. You can only imagine what would happen in Nigeria in 2050 with this level of hardship and about 200m (out of 402m) unemployed youth...kidnapping etc will be child's play. This country is a time bomb unless we change course. There’s a way out....voting the right man as President no matter where he comes from or his religious beliefs. we must drive the change we want. Dubai you know today was a desert 25 years ago. Again, we must drive the change we want.

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  103. Aunty Linda, as for me, my oga pays after three months even when the money is there, I left the place and now I am jobless. I am a graduate with other prof. Cert. Who will be our voice?

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  104. God help Nigeria......i cant even criticize dis woman's employer cos i dont have an idea of how much she makes in a month,,,definitely she will be using a generator which he/she has to fuel and service/repair from time to time,,,pay for the rent of that place at the end of the year and do some other maintenance work dere from time to time.....so everything is just messed up and there seems not be a change coming from any angle......it is well!!!

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  105. Its sad o! When my friend who just graduated got a 30k job,he was ecstatic. I was in shock!! I pay my illitrate nanny 20k monthly and feed her twice a day as well. What do u have to show for 4years in a university with bank breaking school fees? Its sad o!

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  106. U̶̲̥̅̊ dnt rely on gov wrk in nija rada U̶̲̥̅̊ hustle

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  107. My dear Linda you haven't seen anything as yet. Millions are paid far less and are surviving. Graduates are paid pee nuts without apologies. As a masters holder I earn less than 260USD a month where I work. This is quite appalling I must confess. Obviously, our leaders are joking and the we the led are also playing. Nigeria for me is ripe for a REVOLUTION!

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  108. Thanks alot Linda for bringing this up. Blogs should not only be used for gossips but for serious issues like this.

    A problem known is a problem half solved and bringing up issues like this will definitely affect the masses positively.

    Too bad our National bureau of Statistics can't tell the number of Nigerians (including destitutes and insane people) that dies each day due to lack of food.

    Mekus

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  109. Maybe this experience will help u understand the hardship people are going through in Nigeria and deter u from posting pictures of people buying a bag for 800k or wrist watch for 1m.Maybe it will help you from preaching materialism indirectly in a nation where 70 percent live below a dollar a day,Just maybe u will spend more time on things that will had value to our youth..tell me,what is the benefits of ur readers knowing that some actress or artists got a bag or wrist watch for 3 million naira?

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    1. As bad as Things are,pls stop quoting those crappy statistics d colonial & imperialist west have made about 70% living under a dollar, it's meant to further enslave your mentality. How much is a freaking dollar? How much is d smallest recharge card in Nigeria? Isn't it 100 naira? How much is a bottle of beer or ogogoro? Isn't it above a dollar? How much does it cost to eat just one meal in a day in Nigeria? I know people are living in poverty,but I hate hearing that "1 dollar a day quote" Co's it's a lie,especially when you say "70% of Nigerians". It annoys me to hear Nigerians quoting this shitty statistics. You live in your country & you don't know d price of Things & yet some foolish imperialist Westerners who don't know shit about your struggles or your plight cook up Stupid statistics & sell you & you buy? You might as well believe you're a monkey.
      Nigeria must wake,Africa must wake up. We've been sitting down for too long & our people have suffered for too long.

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  110. Imagine dis lady doing her job and collecting that stipend with joy! Even with a family.And yet I employed a maid who was single who resumed work by 9am and closed by 6pm. on tuesday and thursdays I let her close by 3pm to enable her attend church service. I paid her 12k to wash plates and sweep my house and watch over my son. And watch africa magic lol. Not one day did she do my laundrey or cook for me! Yet d lazy woman compalined that d Job was too much. Humans.
    Smh!

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    Replies
    1. & you're proud of yourself right? Alright,clap for yourself.

      Delete
  111. Lind its so sad and we are heavily taxed and the govt is not making Gud use of the money nobody to question them am sad

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  112. My mom was less than that until God decided to change our story,pple are suffering o

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  113. The. Minimum wage law applies to employers of labour having 5 employees and above. Talking about low pay, the legal profession is most notorious for the depressing salaries paid to junior lawyers. After 6years in d uni and law sch, and another year for nysc, many of them earn btw 20t and 30t per month.

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  114. ...And Jonathan 'Greed' Ebele just acquired the 11th private jet...na God go judge you!!! #wickedman

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  115. The lady should be admired for having such an attitude. Contentment is what most Nigerians lack which explains why our political leaders and senior civil servants steal billions of naira

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  116. Nawa for this country!no hope for the poor,the rich are getting richer the poor getting poorer

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  117. If you can't takes it there are thousand of people that will. May God help us and put 'baraka' in whatever we do

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  118. Eni lori o ni fila! My sales girl who does nuthn but watch tv all day complains that 10k is nt enuff yet this woman who does more earns less

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  119. No nedd of wasting my tim comentin on dis issue cos my county don tire me o.

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    1. Lindodo, do you know how much the restaurant makes, Nne it's a hard world o!

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  120. In USA indian diplomat was arrested few weeks back for paying her domestic aid she brought from indian, Less than the approved minimum wage. why cant we enforce the minimum wage in Nigeria and stop these exploitation of the poor.

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  121. tears run down my eyes, how can people be living in dis kind of hardship & a terrible condition of living in d midst of plenty & abundance, even an animal in Aso Villa lives better than millions of of my fellow NIgerian...God pls take me to Aso VIlla & i will not let u down, that President sit will answer my name, oneday, very soon, by ur Grace..

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  122. linda let me employ her and pay 15k.i will inbox my number..how do we know shes genuine and not a thief?...this is naija

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  123. Minimum wage is for those that have a minimum of 50 workers.
    Check the rules.

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  124. basically the minimum wage of a country should be applicable to all spheres of the labour force of a country,because in that manner a particular standard of living is maintained within a country and also it is expected than any individual within a society that is employed should be able to afford the expected means of livelihood the minimum wageis able to provide

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  125. I have read almost all the comments and decided to drop mine from a practical point of view.I own a business centre somewhere in Mushin where we make platic ID cards,do desktop publishing,digiatl photo printing/one minute passport,photocopying and a cyber cafe added at the later part of the buiness.I have 3 workers(A manager,a graphic artist and cafe attendat).In a month,we make average of between N35k to N50K.I pay the manager N20K for working 8am to 6pm Mon to fri and 8am to 3pm on Sat.The graphic artist earn N13K for same working hrs while the cafe attendant work 4pm to 9pm and earns 7.5K.If you add everything together,the total salary is N40.5K.So it means that there are months all workers do not get their salaries complete.I the owner of the business do not take a kobo some times and when the sale is about N50K I get like 9k.What am I driving at here is that most of these business owners do not make the kind of money we think they make.I am working for a multinational and so fall back on my salary to keep body and soul together.I am married with two kids.Imagine if my salary come from the business centre, certainly I have to carve out the money that will keep me afloat before paying salary.So this is where the problem lies.We run on generator and still pay PHCN.That is double loss.Fuel money could have been added to our income.Lock up shop fees is there and so with tax,security,subscription fee and shop rent.Many business do not stay beyond 5yrs before they close down.In my case I have been sustaining the business with my salary and ensuring that all my workers get paid since inception in 2007 till date.It is not everyone that can cope and pay their workers as much as we want them to be paid.If the SME is made to operate in a way that cut them off certain financial burden and are are assisted greatly by the goverment to make good money & stay afloat which then make them to be really the gap for the umeployemnt issue in the country,then there will be no case of these one man business paying peanuts but until then we can't blame those who are trying to balance their life and safegurad their investment.


    Linda please publish my coment.You have not published any before.Delete this part if you resort to publish.thanx.

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  126. Domino,Mz diazo, and so many Anonymous; must U̶̲̥̅̊ call names to prove ur point? It simply doesn't show maturity. Cease 4m doing such please.

    #peacebeuntodishouse

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  127. Walahi d woman is lucky, I used 2 work as a nurse in benin, I earn 6000 n I do morning, afternoon n night shift, we clean d clinic cos we hv no cleaner, d doctor would even mk u work double shifts without incentives, he will mk u cum 2 night vigils cos dats ur passport 4 stayn employed, even wen u r sick u must cum 2 work n if he manages 2 treat u, u pay 4 d materials used. There was a day I gave him moni n he said 100 was missn 4rm it, he collected 1000 4rm ma 6000 @ d end of d month. Dis same guy works wit d govt, he is well paid n he goes 2 work @ will buh he uses his workers like rain water
    Sallysmart

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  128. It's crazy that someone gets paid 7k, am a private business owner and the least I pay my workers as at this moment is 15k. I gave them a staff bus to ease their movement and reduce their fare everyday but I must also say that the govt isn't encouraging the private business sector! We pay outrageous nepa bills, spend so much on diesel, pay multiple taxes : local govt tenement rates, signage, commerce and trade, business premises, business permits tax all of these are aside the Firs vat charges and then if u are in the hospitality business, u have to pAy tourism tax, u have the health body( wole wole) to deal with, if you employ an it student you have to pay itf tax again and the list goes on, yet a business owner is supposed to make some profit. How many private businesses in nigeria has a capital base of 10 million naira, banks are not friendly with their interest rates, all am trying to say is the govt has failed us.......

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  129. In the same country where some people most especially those we voted into offices entrusted with our future and hope waste billions of naira on frivolities, you can see to what extent the masses are contented and persevered just to get their daily bread. It is as a result of this I wrote this letter to you...

    Dear Linda,

    I think it will be unfair for me not to acknowledge the great work you and your group have been doing in making Nigerians both at home and in diaspora well informed, thank you for the great job and at the same time will like to let you know you can still do better. You have indeed taken our entertainment industry to a lofty height.

    The situation, I mean the political framework of Nigeria now has got to a point where silence isn’t help and as a result of this I will suggest you create a platform for Nigerians in diaspora to express their views about what is happening and probably their impact can be felt. You will agree with me that in most cases people from diaspora have always been the agents of change in most liberated nations today because they see and probably know why things are not working.

    This is not to antagonize the government but to make our voices heard for the betterment of common man in the country, since we belong to the country.

    NIGERIANS SUFFER A LOT TODAY NOT BECAUSE OF THE WICKEDNESS OF OUR RULERS BUT BECAUSE OF THE SILENCE OF YOU AND ME…. LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD TO RESCUE OUR GREAT NATION, NIGERIA.

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  130. "Sigh"...... Linda, since you shared out largesse among some of your readers, your blog seems to have attracted a lot of juveniles that are still in School. I guess they are hoping and keeping their fingers crossed that something similar will come pretty soon.

    Hasn't ASUU called off the strike? Too many young people here who should be in School reading their books. I get very bored when reading some children's comments. I know this is unrelated to the topic but "sigh".....

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  131. Any one can get free cash from http://2cashsite.com/?id=89133

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  132. Issues like dis is evrywhere arnd d world / nd peeps 4rm US pls kindly stop chckin 7k equivalence in $ without checking the cost of living / wit ur "$7 per hr u make $1120 a month nd 4rm dt meagre sum if u hav 2 pay rent of 600-800 a mnth den add other bills fone/car payment/fuel/feeding ...my dears u r also suffering nd smil..no bragging

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  133. I live abroad and I asked for help to employ a young man in Nigeria who would run errands 4 me there. The pay is to be 20k a month. I come home abt 3 times a yr and d only thing I asked is that he knows how to drive and for him to be honest, accountable and not steal from me. But all d people i asked for referral shocked me by telling me it will be near impossible to get who wont steal from me. I was shocked and i asked y. I was told that things r so hard in Nigeria dat it is impossible not to steal from me.
    The point being made here is: b4 u cry dat ur salary is too small, r u reliable, dependable, honest and hardworking. Believe me every rich folk in Nigeria is looking for who to trust but cant find any. In d meantime, my offer is still available. If u or u know someone who fits d profile I'm looking 4 pls email me: nkechilinks@hotmail.com Cheers.

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  134. linda, your blog is read by almost all nigerians at home and abroad. i hope you can use this power of yours to make the minimum wage a reality.

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  135. your blog is read by almost all nigerians at home and abroad. i hope that you can help make the dream of a minimum wage a reality and you are not all talk and no action.

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  136. All of una wey dey ABUSE people and dey claim anonymous, if una get mind, make una show una names nah!

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Linda Ikeji.

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