LABOURACT

ARRANGEMENTOFSECTIONS

PART1

Generalprovisionsastoprotectionofwages,contractsofemploymentand
termsandconditionsofemployment

Protectionofwages

SECTION
1. Mannerofpayment.
2. Agreementastoplaceandmannerofspendingwagesillegal.
3. Wagesnottobepaidoncertainpremises.
4. Advances.
5. Deductions(includingdeductionsforoverpaymentofwages).
6. Authorityofemployertoopenshop.

Contractsofemployment
7. Writtenparticularsoftermsofemployment.
8. Medicalexamination.
9. Contracts:general.
10. Transfertootheremployment.
11. Terminationofcontractsbynotice.
12. Commonemploymentnotadefence.

Termsandconditionsofemployment
13. Hoursofworkandovertime.
14. Provisionoftransport.
15. Periodicityofpaymentofwages.
16. Sickleave.
17. Dutyofemployertoprovidework.
18. Annualholidayswithpay.
19. Calculationofleavepayandsicknessbenefits.
20. Redundancy.

General
21.Offences.
22.Exemptions.

 PARTII

Recruiting
Recruitersandrecruitinggenerally

SECTION
23.Prohibitionofrecruitingexceptunderpermitorlicence.
24.Employer'spermit.
25.Recruiter'slicence.
26.Restrictionsonrecruiting.
27.Recruiting:miscellaneousprovisions.
28.Health.
29.Transport.
30.Expensesandmaintenance.
31.Repatriation.
32.Capitationfee.
RecruitingforemploymentinNigeria
33.Proceduralrequirements.
34.Righttobeaccompaniedbyfamily.
35.Defermentofwages.
RecruitingforemploymentoutsideNigeria
36.Powerofprohibition.
37.Internationalagreements.
38.Durationofcontractandreturnpassages.
39.ProcedurepriortoleavingNigeria.
40.Specialtermsandconditionsofcontract.
41.Surrenderofpermits.
42.Embarkationcheck.
43.Exemptionfromcustomsonrepatriation.
44.Righttobeaccompaniedbyfamilyatemployer'sexpense.
Enforcementprovisions
45.Inducingrecruitingbyfraud,etc.
46.Neglectorilltreatment.
47.Otheroffences.
48.Application.

PARTIII

Specialclassesofworkerandmiscellaneousspecialprovisions
Apprentices
49.Contractsofapprenticeship.
50.Attestation.
51.Retentionofapprenticeafterexpiryofcontract.
52.Regulations.
53.Offences.
 Employmentofwomen
54.Maternityprotection.
55.Nightwork.
SECTION
56.Undergroundwork.
57.Regulations.
58.Offences.

Youngpersons
59.General.
60.Nightwork.
61.Shipping.
62.Registerofyoungpersonsinindustrialundertakings.
63.Regulations.
64.Offences.

Domesticservice
65.Regulations.
Labourhealthareas
66.Labourhealthareas.
67.Regulations.
Registration,employmentexchanges,etc.
68.Registrationofemployers.
69.Labourschemes.
70.Employmentexchanges.
71.Feechargingemploymentagencies.
72.Offences.

Forcedlabour
73.Prohibitionofforcedlabour.
74.LabourrequiredinemergenciesandforcommunalObligations.
PARTIV

Supplemental
Recordsandreturns
75.Records.
76.Returns.

Administration
77.Authorisedlabourofticers.

SECTION
78.Powersofauthorisedlabourofficers.
79.Delegationoffunctions.

Settlementofdisputes
80.Jurisdiction.
81.Labourcomplaints.
82.Powersofthecourt.
83.Procedure.
84.Compensation,andprovisionoffood.
85.Costs.

Miscellaneous
86.Applicationtopublicauthorities.
87.Contractsmadeabroad.
88.Regulations.
89.Savingsandexemptions.
90.Repeal,andtransitionalandsavingprovisions.
91.Interpretation.
92.Shorttitle.

SCHEDULE

Transitionalandsavingprovisions

LABOURACT

AnActtorepealandreplacetheLabourCodeActandconsolidatethelawrelating
tolabour.
[1974No.21.]

[1stAugust,1971]
[Commencernent.]
PARTI

Generalprovisionsastoprotectionofwages,contractsofemployment
andtermsandconditionsofemployment
Protectionofwages
1. Mannerofpayment
(1)Subjecttothissection
 (a) thewagesofaworkershallinallcontractsbemadepayableinlegaltenderand
nototherwise;and
(b) ifinanycontractthewholeoranypartofthewagesofaworkerismadepay
ableinanyothermannerthecontractshallbeillegal,nullandvoid.
(2)Anemployermayprovidefood,adwellingplaceoranyotherallowanceor
privilegeasapartofaworker'sremunerationifthefood,dwellingplace,allowanceor
privilegeisprescribedbylaw,byacollectiveagreementorbyanarbitrationawardbe
causeitiscustomaryordesirableinviewofthenatureoftheindustryoroccupationin
whichtheworkerisengaged;butinnocaseshallanemployergivetoanyworkerany
intoxicatingliquorornoxiousdrugbywayofremuneration.
(3)ExceptwhereotherwiseexpresslypermittedbythisAct,wagespayableinmoney
shallbepaidonlyinlegaltenderor,withthepriorconsentinwritingoftheworkercon
cerned,bychequeorpostalorderandpaymentorpurportedpaymentinanyotherform
shallbeillegal,nullandvoid.
2. Agreementastoplaceandmannerofspendingwagesillegal
Noemployershallimposeinanycontractfortheemploymentofanyworkerany
termsastotheplaceatwhich,orthemannerinwhich,orthepersonwithwhomany
wagespaidtotheworkeraretobeexpended;andeverycontractbetweenanemployer
andaworkercontaininganysuchtermsshallbeillegal,nullandvoid.

3. Wagesnottobepaidoncertainpremises
Wagesshallnotbepaidtoaworkerinpremisesusedforthesaleofintoxicatingliq
uororfortheretailsaleofgoods,exceptinthecaseofaworkeremployedontheprem
ises.

4.Advances
(1)Noemployermaymaketoaworkeranadvanceofwagesinexcessofone
month'swages.
(2)Whereanadvanceinrespectofwageshasbeenpaidtoaworkertheminimum
periodfortherecoveryoftheadvancebytheemployershallbethreemonths.
(3)Noadvanceinrespectofwagesshallbepaidtoaworkerwhoisliabletorepay
anypartofsuchanadvancepaidtohimpreviously,exceptincasesofnecessityasso
approvedbytheemployer.
(4)Noemployershallmakeanydeductionbywayofdiscount,interestoranysimilar
chargeonaccountofanyadvanceofwagespaidtoaworkerinanticipationoftheregular
periodofpaymentofthewages.
(5)TheStateAuthoritymaybyorderdeclarethatthissectionshallnotapplytoany
particularkindofadvancepaidtoanyparticularclassofworkerortoallworkers.
1. Deductions(includingdeductionsforoverpaymentofwages)
(1)ExceptwhereitisexpresslypermittedbythisActoranyotherlaw,noemployer
shallmakeanydeductionormakeanyagreementorcontractwithaworkerforanydeductionfromthe
wagestobepaidbytheemployertotheworker,orforanypayment
totheemployerbytheworker,fororinrespectofanyfines:
Providedthat,withthepriorconsentinwritingofanauthorisedlabourofficer,a
reasonabledeductionmaybemadeinrespectofinjuryorlosscausedtotheemployerby
thewilfulmisconductorneglectoftheworker.
(2)Anemployermaywiththeconsentofaworkermakedeductionsfromthewages
oftheworkerandpaytotheappropriatepersonanycontributionstoprovidentorpension
fundsorotherschemesagreedtobytheworkerandapprovedbytheStateAuthority.
(3)UpontheregistrationandrecognitionofanyofthetradeunionsspecifiedinPart
AofSchedule3totheTradeUnionsAct,theemployershall
[1986No.17.Cap.T14.]
(a) makedeductionsfromthewagesofallworkerseligibletobemembersofthe
unionforthepurposeofpayingcontributionstothetradeunionsorecognised;
and
(b)payanysumsodeductedtotheunion,

butaworkermaycontractoutofthesystem,inwriting,andwherehehasdoneso,no
deductionsshallbemadefromhiswagesinrespectofcontributionsmentionedinpara
graph(a)ofthissection.
(4)Nodeductionsshallbemadefromthewagesandsalariesofpersonswhoareeli
giblemembersofanyofthetradeunionsspecifiedinPartBofSchedule3oftheTrade
UnionsActexceptifthepersonconcernedhasaccepted,inwriting,tomakevoluntary
contributionstothetradeunion.
(5)Deductionsmaybemadefromthewagesofaworkerinrespectofoverpayment
ofwages,butonlyinrespectofanysuchoverpaymentmadeduringthethreemonths
immediatelyprecedingthemonthinwhichtheoverpaymentwasdiscovered.
[1989No.25.]
(6)Anemployershall,whenmakingapaymenttoatradeunionunderparagraph(b)
ofsubsection(3)ofthissection,includewithsuchpaymentalistoftheemployeesfrom
whomdeductionsweremadepursuanttoparagraph(c)ofthesaidsubsection.
(7)NotwithstandinganyotherprovisionsofthisAct,thetotalamountofdeductions
thatmaybemadefromthewagesofaworkerinanyonemonthshallnotexceedone
thirdofthewagesoftheworkerforthatmonth.

2. Authorityofemployertoopenshop
(1)TheMinistermay,afterconsultationwiththeStateAuthority,giveapprovaltoan
employertoestablishashopforthesaleofprovisionstohisworkers,butnoworkershall
becompelledbyanycontractoragreement,writtenororal,topurchaseprovisionsatany
shopsoestablished.
(2)Noemployershallinanyplaceofemploymentestablishashopforthesaleof
provisionstohisworkers(orpermitsuchashoptobeestablishedorkept)otherwisethan
inaccordancewithsubsection(1)ofthissection.
Contractsofemployment
3. Writtenparticularsoftermsofemployment
(1)Notlaterthanthreemonthsafterthebeginningofaworker'speriodofemploy
mentwithanemployer,theemployershallgivetotheworkerawrittenstatementspeci
fying
(a) thenameoftheemployerorgroupofemployers,andwhereappropriate,ofthe
undertakingbywhichtheworkerisemployed;
(b) thenameandaddressoftheworkerandtheplaceanddateofhisengagement;
(c) thenatureoftheemployment;
(d) ifthecontractisforafixedterm,thedatewhenthecontractexpires;
(e) theappropriateperiodofnoticetobegivenbythepartywishingtoterminate
thecontract,dueregardbeinghadtosection11ofthisAct;
(f) theratesofwagesandmethodofcalculationthereofandthemannerandpe
riodicityofpaymentofwages;
(g) anytermsandconditionsrelatingto
(i)hoursofwork;or
(ii)holidaysandholidaypay;or
(iii)incapacityforworkduetosicknessorinjury,includinganyprovisions
forsickpay;and
(h) anyspecialconditionsofthecontract.

(2)Ifafterthedatetowhichthesaidstatementrelatesthereisachangeintheterms
tobeincludedorreferredtointhestatementtheemployer
(a) shall,notmorethanonemonthafterthechange,informtheworkerofthena
tureofthechangebyawrittenstatement;and
(b) ifhedoesnotleaveacopyofthestatementwiththeworker,shallpreservethe
statementandensurethattheworkerhasreasonableopportunitiesofreadingit
(c)inthecourseofhisemployment,orthatitismadereasonablyaccessibletothe
workerinsomeotherway.
(3)Astatementundersubsection(1)or(2)ofthissectionmay,foralloranyofthe
particularstobegivenbythestatement,refertheworkertosomeotherdocumentwhich
theworkerhasreasonableopportunitiesofreadinginthecourseofhisemploymentor
whichismadereasonablyaccessibletotheworkerinsomeotherway.
(4)Iftheemployer,inreferringinthesaidstatementtoanysuchdocument,indicates
totheworkerthatfuturechangesinthetermsparticularisedinthedocumentwillbeen
teredinthedocument(orrecordedbysomeothermeansfortheinformationofpersons
referredtointhedocument),theemployerneednotundersubsection(2)ofthissection
informtheworkerofanysuchchangewhichisdulyenteredorrecordednotmorethan
onemonthafterthechangeismade.
(5)If,notmorethansixmonthsaftertheterminationofaworker'speriodofem
ployment,afurtherperiodofemploymentisbegunwiththesameemployerandtheterms
ofemploymentarethesame,nostatementneedbegivenundersubsection(1)ofthissectioninrespect
ofthesecondperiodofemployment,sohoweverthatthissubsection
shallbewithoutprejudicetotheoperationofsubsection(2)ofthissectionifthereisa
changeinthetermsofemployment.
(6)Theprovisionsofthissectioninrespectofwrittenstatementsshallnotapplyif
(a) aworkerhasawrittencontractofemploymentwhichcoverseachofthepar
ticularsmentionedinsubsection(1)ofthissection;and
(b) hehasacopyofthatwrittencontract.

8.Medicalexamination
(1)Everyworkerwhoentersintoacontractshallbemedicallyexaminedbyaregis
teredmedicalpractitionerattheexpenseoftheemployer.
(2)TheStateAuthoritymaybyorderexemptfromtherequirementofmedicalex
aminationworkersenteringintocontractsror
(a) employmentinagriculturalundertakingsnotemployingmorethanalimited
numberofworkers(thelimitbeingspecifiedintheorder);or
(b)employmentinthevicinityoftheworkers'homes
(i)inagriculturalwork;or
(ii)innonagriculturalworkwhichtheStateAuthorityissatisfiedisnotofa
dangerouscharacterorlikelytobeinjurioustothehealthofthe
workers.

9.Contracts:general
(1)Nocontractshallbedeemedtobebindingonthefamilyordependantsofa
workerunlessitcontainsanexpressprovisiontothateffect.
(2)Anemployershallberesponsiblefortheperformanceofanycontractmadeby
anypersonactingonhisbehalf.
(3)Exceptinthecaseofacontractofapprenticeship,nopersonundertheageof
sixteenyearsshallbecapableorenteringintoacontractofemploymentunderthisAct.
(4)Nocontractshallprovideforthepaymentofwagesatintervalsexceedingone
monthunlessthewrittenconsentoftheStateAuthorityhasbeenpreviouslyobtained.
(5)NoworkershallbeboundbyvirtueoranycontractunderthisActtoanswerfor
thedebt,defaultormiscarriageofanyotherperson.
(6)Nocontractshall

(a) makeitaconditionofemploymentthataworkershallorshallnotjoinatrade
unionorshallorshallnotrelinquishmembershiporatradeunion;or
(b) causethedismissalof,orotherwiseprejudice,aworker
(i)byreasonoftradeunionmembership;or
(ii) becauseoftradeunionactivitiesoutsideworkinghoursor,withthe
consentoftheemployer,withinworkinghours;or
(iii) byreasonofthefactthathehaslostorbeendeprivedofmembershipofa
tradeunionorhasrefusedorbeenunabletobecome,orforanyotherreasonis
not,amemberofatradeunion.
(7)Acontractshallbeterminated
(a)bytheexpiryoftheperiodforwhichitwasmade;or
(b) bythedeathoftheworkerbeforetheexpiryofthatperiod;or

(c) bynoticeinaccordancewithsection11ofthisActorinanyotherwayin
whichacontractislegallyterminableorheldtobeterminated.
(8)Theterminationofacontractbythedeathofaworkershallbewithoutprejudice
tothelegalclaimsofhispersonalrepresentativesordependants.

10.Transfertootheremployment
(1)Thetransferofanycontractfromoneemployertoanothershallbesubjecttothe
consentoftheworkerandtheendorsementofthetransferuponthecontractbyanau
thorisedlabourofficer.
(2)Beforeendorsingthetransferuponthecontract,theofficerinquestion
(a) shallascertainthattheworkerhasfreelyconsentedtothetransferandthathis
consenthasnotbeenobtainedbycoercionorundueinfluenceorasaresultof
misrepresentationormistake;and
(b) ifbythetransfertheworkerwill
(i) changehisformofemploymentfromonewhichisthesubjectofan
exemptionordermadeundersection8(2)ofthisAct;or
(ii) besubjecttosuchachangeofconditionsasintheofficer'sopinion
renderssuchacourseadvisable,
mayrequiretheworkertobemedicallyexaminedorreexamined,asthecasemaybe.
11.Terminationofcontractsbynotice
(1)Eitherpartytoacontractofemploymentmayterminatethecontractontheexpi
rationofnoticegivenbyhimtotheotherpartyofhisintentiontodoso.
(2)Thenoticetobegivenforthepurposesofsubsection(1)ofthissectionshallbe
(a) oneday,wherethecontracthascontinuedforaperiodofthreemonthsorless;
(b) oneweek,wherethecontracthadcontinuedformorethanthreemonthsbut
lessthantwoyears;
(c)twoweeks,wherethecontracthascontinuedforaperiodoftwoyearsbutless
thanfiveyears;and
(d)onemonth,wherethecontracthadcontinuedforfiveyearsormore.
(3)Anynoticeforaperiodofoneweekormoreshallbeinwriting.

(4)Theperiodsofnoticespecifiedinsubsection(2)ofthissectionexcludetheday
onwhichnoticeisgiven.
(5)Nothinginthissectionaffectsanyrightofeitherpartytoacontracttotreatthe
contractasterminablewithoutnoticebyreasonofsuchconductbytheotherpartyas
wouldhaveenabledhimsototreatitbeforethemakingofthisAct.
 (6)Nothinginthissectionshallpreventeitherpartytoacontractfromwaivinghis
righttonoticeonanyoccasion,orfromacceptingapaymentinlieuofnotice.
(7)Allwagespayableinmoneyshallbepaidonorbeforetheexpiryofanyperiodof
notice.
(8)Ifanemployergivesnoticetoterminatethecontractofemploymentofaworker
whohasbeencontinuouslyemployedforthreemonthsormore,theemployershallnotbe
liableunderthissectiontomakeanypaymentinrespectofaperiodduringwhichthe
workerisabsentfromworkwiththeleaveoftheemployergrantedattherequestofthe
worker.
(9)Inthecalculationofapaymentinlieuofnotice,onlythatpartofthewageswhich
aworkerreceivesinmoney,exclusiveofovertimeandotherallowances,shallbetaken
intoaccount.

12.Commonemploymentnotadefence
(1)Itshallnotbeadefencetoanemployerwhoissuedinrespectofpersonalinjuries
causedbythenegligenceofapersonemployedbyhim,thatthatpersonwas,atthetime
theinjurieswerecaused,incommonemploymentwiththepersoninjured.
(2)Anyprovisionscontainedinacontractofserviceorapprenticeship,orinan
agreementcollateralthereto(includingacontractoragreemententeredintobeforethe
commencementofthissection)shallbevoidinsofarasitwouldhavetheeffectofex
cludingorlimitinganyliabilityoftheemployerinrespectofpersonalinjuriescausedto
thepersonemployedorapprenticedbythenegligenceofpersonsincommonemploy
mentwithhim.
(3)Forthepurposesofthissection,theexpression"personalinjuries"includesany
diseaseandanyimpairmentofaperson'sphysicalormentalconditionarisingoutofhis
employment,and"injury"andcognateexpressionsshallbeconstruedaccordingly.
Termsandconditionsofemployment
13.Hoursofworkandovertime
(1)Normalhoursofworkinanyundertakingshallbethosefixed
(a)bymutualagreement;or
(b)bycollectivebargainingwithintheorganisationorindustryconcerned;or
(c) byanindustrialwagesboard(establishedbyorunderanenactmentproviding
fortheestablishmentofsuchboards)wherethereisnomachineryforcollec
tivebargaining.
(2)Hourswhichaworkerisrequiredtoworkinexcessofthenormalhoursfixedun
dersubsection(1)ofthissectionshallconstituteovertime.
(3)Whereaworkerisatworkforsixhoursormoreaday,hisworkshallbeinter
rupted(totheextentwhichisnecessary,havingregardtoitscharacteranddurationandtoworking
conditionsingeneral)byallowingoneormoresuitablyspacedrestintervalsof
notlessthanonehourontheaggregate:
Providedthat
 (a) exceptionsmaybemadetotheruleinthissubsectionwhereunforeseencir
cumstancesrenderthemnecessary;and
(b) whereitisfoundunavoidableinviewofthenatureoftheworkandthework
ingconditionsingeneral,timeoffforamealattheworksiteorintheimmedi
atevicinitymaybesubstitutedfortherestinterval.
(4)Insubsection(3)ofthissection,"restinterval"meansaninterruptionofworkof
whichthelengthisfixedbeforehandandduringwhichtheworkerisfreetodisposeofhis
timeandisnotrequiredtoremainattheplaceofwork.
(5)Where,byreasonofitsconnectionwithamechanicalprocessorasaresultof
othercircumstances,theworkinvolvescontinuousstrainorisparticularlytryinginother
ways,theworkershallbeallowedtherequisitenumberofsuitablyadjustedandspaced
breaksinthework.

(6)Insubsection(5)ofthissection,"breakinthework"meansashortintermission
intheworkfixedbeforehandwhichisorderedwithaviewtoallowingtheworkertode
tachhimselffromhisworkandwhichisnottobecountedasarestintervalortimeoff
undersubsection(3)ofthissection.
(7)Ineveryperiodofsevendaysaworkershallbeentitledtoonedayofrestwhich
shallnotbelessthan24consecutivehours;ifanyreductiontakesplaceintheweekly
restperiod
(a) correspondingtimeofffromworkshallbeallowedassoonaspossible(andin
anycasenotlaterthanfourteendaysthereafter);or
(b)wagesatovertimeratesshallbepaidinlieuthereof.

14.Provisionoftransport

(1)Whereaworkerisrequiredtotravelsixteenkilometresormorefromhisnormal
placeofworktoanotherworksiteheshallbeentitledtofreetransportoranallowancein
lieuthereof.

(2)Wheretheemployerprovidesavehicleorvesselforthepurposesofsubsec
tion(1)ofthissection,heshallensurethatthevehicleorvesselissuitable,isingood
sanitaryconditionandisnotovercrowded.

15.Periodicityofpaymentofwages
Wagesshallbecomedueandpayableattheendofeachperiodforwhichthecontract
isexpressedtosubsist,thatistosay,daily,weeklyoratsuchotherperiodasmaybe
agreedupon:
Providedthat,wheretheperiodismorethanonemonth,thewagesshallbecome
dueandpayableatintervalsnotexceedingonemonth.

16.Sickleave
 SubjecttotheWorkmen'sCompensationAct,aworkershallbeentitledtobepaid
wagesuptotwelveworkingdaysinanyonecalendaryearduringabsencefromwork
causedbytemporaryillnesscertifiedbyaregisteredmedicalpractitioner:
[Cap.W6.]

Providedthatthissectionshallnotapplyunless
(a) thecontractremainsinexistenceduringtheperiodofabsenceandtheworker
isreadyandwillingtoperformhispartofthecontractsavefortheincapacity
producedbytheillness;and
(b) theworker,ifsorequestedbytheemployer,consentstobeexaminedbya
qualifiedmedicalpractitionernominatedbytheemployer.

17.Dutyofemployertoprovidework
(1)Exceptwhereacollectiveagreementprovidesotherwise,everyemployershall,
unlessaworkerhasbrokenhiscontract,provideworksuitabletotheworker'scapacity
oneveryday(exceptrestdaysandpublicholidays)onwhichtheworkerpresentshimself
andisfitforwork;and,iftheemployerfailstoprovideworkasaforesaid,heshallpayto
theworkerinrespectofeachdayonwhichhehassofailedwagesatthesamerateas
wouldbepayableiftheworkerhadperformedaday'swork:
Providedthat

(a) where,owingtoatemporaryemergencyorothercircumstancesbeyondthe
employer'scontrol(theperiodofwhichshallnotexceedoneweekorsuch
longerperiodasanauthorisedlabourofficermayallowinanyparticularcase),
theemployerisunabletoprovidework,theworkershallbeentitledtothose
wagesonlyonthefirstdayoftheperiodinquestion;and
(b) thissubsectionshallnotapplywheretheworkerissuspendedfromworkasa
punishmentforabreachofdisciplineoranyotheroffence.
(2)Whereaworkerisemployedinanyagriculturalundertakingonaplantationona
contractofserviceunderwhichheearnswagescalculatedbyreferencetothenumberof
days'workperformedineachmonthofhisservice,theemployershallprovidethe
workerwithworksuitabletohiscapacityonnotlessthan24daysineachmonthduring
thewholeofwhichheissoemployed;and,iftheemployerfailstoprovideworkasafore
saidonanyofthose24daysonwhichtheworkerpresentshimselfandisfitforwork,he
shallpaytotheworkerinrespectofeachsuchdaywagesatthesameratesaswouldbe
payableiftheworkerhadperformedaday'swork:
Providedthat,incomputing24daysforthepurposesofthissubsection,account
shallnotbetakenofmorethansixdaysinanyoneweek.
(3)Anydisputebetweenanemployerandaworkerastotheworker'sfitnessfor
workundersubsection(1)or(2)ofthissectionmaybereferredtoanauthorisedlabour
officer,whomaytakesuchmedicalorotheradviceashethinksappropriateandwhose
decisionshallbefinal.

18.Annualholidayswithpay
 (1)Everyworkershallbeentitledaftertwelvemonths'continuousservicetoaholi
daywithfullpayof
(a)atleastsixworkingdays;or

(b) inthecaseofapersonundertheageofsixteenyears(includinganapprentice),
atleasttwelveworkingdays.
(2)Theholidaymentionedinsubsection(1)ofthissectionmaybedeferredby
agreementbetweentheemployerandtheworker:
Providedthattheholidayearningperiodshallnottherebybeincreasedbeyond24
months'continuousservice.
(3)Itshallbeunlawfulforanemployertopaywagesinlieuoftheholidaymentioned
insubsection(1)ofthissectiontoaworkerwhosecontracthasnotterminated.
(4)Apersonwhoceasestobeemployedafterhavingcompleted

(a) lessthantwelvebutnotlessthansixmonthsinthecontinuousemploymentof
anemployer;or
(b) notlessthansixmonthsinthecontinuousemploymentofanemployersince
helastqualifiedforaholidayundersubsection(1)ofthissection,
shallbepaidwithrespecttothatperiodofemploymentanamountbearingthesamepro
portiontofullpayforoneweekathisnormalrateasthatperiodbearstotwelvemonths.
19.Calculationofleavepayandsicknessbenefits
Inthecalculationofleavepayandsicknessbenefitsonlythatpartofhiswageswhich
aworkerreceivesinmoney(excludingovertimeandotherallowances)shallbetakeninto
account.

20.Redundancy
(1)Intheeventofredundancy

(a) theemployershallinformthetradeunionorworkers'representativeconcerned
ofthereasonsforandtheextentoftheanticipatedredundancy;
(b) theprincipleof"lastin,firstout"shallbeadoptedinthedischargeofthepar
ticularcategoryofworkersaffected,subjecttoallfactorsofrelativemerit,in
cludingskill,abilityandreliability;and
(c) theemployershallusehisbestendeavourstonegotiateredundancypayments
toanydischargedworkerswhoarenotprotectedbyregulationsmadeunder
subsection(2)ofthissection.
(2)TheMinistermaymakeregulationsproviding,generallyorinparticularcases,for
thecompulsorypaymentofredundancyallowancesontheterminationofaworker'sem
ploymentbecauseofhisredundancy.
(3)Inthissection"redundancy"meansaninvoluntaryandpermanentlossofem
ploymentcausedbyanexcessofmanpower.

General
21.Offences

(1)Anyemployerwho
(a) entersintoanyagreementorcontractorgivesanyremunerationforemploy
mentcontrarytothisPartordeclaredbythisParttobeillegalorunlawful;or
(b) makesanydeductionfromthewagesofanyworkerorreceivesanypayment
fromanyworkercontrarytothisPart;or
(c) contravenessection6(2),7,13(3),(5)or(7),14or18(3)ofthisAct,

shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandliableonconvictiontoafinenotexceedingN800or,for
asecondorsubsequentoffence,toafinenotexceedingN1,500.

(2)Whereanemployerischargedwithanoffenceundersubsection(1)ofthissec
tion

(a) heshallbeentitled,uponinformationdulylaidbyhim,tohaveanyotherper
sonwhomhechargesastheactualoffenderbroughtbeforethecourtatthe
timeappointedforhearingthecharge;and
(b) if,afterthecommissionoftheoffencehasbeenproved,theemployerprovesto
thesatisfactionofthecourtthathehasusedduediligencetoenforcethisPart
andthattheotherpersonhascommittedtheoffencewithouttheemployer's
knowledge,consentorconnivance,theotherpersonshallbeconvictedofthe
offenceandtheemployershallbeexemptedfromanyliability.

(3)WhereitismadetoappeartothesatisfactionoftheMinisteratthetimeofthe
discoveryofanapparentoffenceundersubsection(1)ofthissection
(a)thattheemployerinquestionhasusedduediligencetoenforcethisPart;
(b)bywhatpersontheoffencehadbeencommitted;and

(c) thattheoffencehasbeencommittedwithouttheknowledge,connivanceor
consentoftheemployer,

theMinistershallproceedagainstthepersonwhomhebelievestobetheactualoffender
inthefirstinstancewithoutfirstproceedingagainsttheemployer.

22.Exemptions

(1)NothinginthisPartshallapplytoaworkerwhoisthefather,mother,husband,
wife,sonordaughteroftheemployer.

(2)NothinginthisPartofthisActshallapplytoanybodyofpersonsworkingonany
agreementofcooperation.

PARTII

Recruiting
 Recruitersandrecruitinggenerally
23.Prohibitionofrecruitingexceptunderpermitorlicence
(1)Subjecttothissectionandsection48ofthisAct,nopersonorassociationshall
recruitanycitizenforemploymentasaworkerinNigeriaorelsewhereexceptinpursu
anceofanemployer'spermitorrecruiter'slicence.
(2)Whereaworker
(a) isemployedbyanundertakingforwhichitisproposedthatheshouldrecruit
otherworkers;
(b) isformallycommissionedinwritingbyhisemployertorecruitotherworkers
fortheundertaking;
(c)doesnotreceiveanyremunerationorotheradvantagefromtherecruiting;and
(d)doesnotmakeadvancesofwagestotheworkersherecruits,

theMinistermaywaivetheneedforapermitorlicenceundersubsection(1)ofthissec
tionandissuetotheworkeracertificatetorecruitcitizensforserviceasworkersinNige
ria,subjecttosuchconditions(whichshallbeendorsedonthecertificate)astheMinister
thinksfit.
(3)Ifanyworkertowhomacertificatehasbeenissuedundersubsection(2)ofthis
sectionisconvictedofanoffenceundersection46or47ofthisAct,theMinistermay
forthwithcancelthecertificate.

24.Employer'spermit
(1)Ifanypersonisdesirousofrecruiting
(a)forhimselforanyotherperson;or
(b)foranyassociationofemployers;or
(c)forapublicauthority;or
(d)forthegovernmentofanycountryoutsideNigeria,
theservicesofanycitizenasaworkerinNigeriaorelsewhere,hemayapplyinwritingto
theMinistergivingtheparticularsspecifiedinsubsection(2)ofthissection.
(2)Theparticularsreferredtoinsubsection(1)ofthissectionare
(a)thenumberofworkersrequired;
(b)theplacewheretheworkistobeperformed;
(c)thenatureofthework;
(d)thewagestobepaid;
(e)thedurationoftheproposedcontract;and
(f)whetherornotitisdesiredtoobtaintheworkersthrougharecruiter.

(3)WheretheworkistobeperformedoutsideNigeria,theMinistermayrequirethe
productionofaletterofrecommendationfromthegovernmentoftheplacewherethe
workistobeperformedcertifyingthattheapplicantisatitandproperpersontobe
grantedapermit.
 (4)Uponreceiptofanapplicationundersubsection(1)ofthissectionand,ifre
quired,aletterofrecommendationundersubsection(3)ofthissection,theMinistermay
granttotheapplicantapermittoengagepersonallyorthrougharecruiterthenumberof
workersrequired(orasmallernumber)withinsuchareaasmaybespecifiedintheper
mit.
(5)Theparticularsofeverypermitgrantedunderthissectionshallbepublishedin
theFederalGazette,andnosuchpermitshallremaininforceforalongerperiodthansix
monthsfromthedateofissue.
(6)Itshallbeanimpliedtermofeverypermitgrantedunderthissectionthatthe
workersrecruitedshallbegroupedattheplaceofemploymentundersuitableethnical
conditions.
(7)Exceptinthecaseofworkersrecruitedfortheserviceofapublicauthority,the
Ministershall
(a) beforegrantingapermitunderthissection,requiresecurityinsuchamountas
hemaythinkfit(eitherbywayofdepositorotherwise)tobegivenbytheem
ployerorhisagentorboth
(i)forthepaymentofthewagesandtravellingexpensesoftheworkersabout
toberecruited;
(ii) forthepaymentofanyexpenseswhichmaybeincurredbytheFederal
Governmentinrespectoftheworkersortheirfamilies;and
(iii) forthepaymentofanyfinewhichmaybeimposedupontheemployer
underthisPartofthisAct;and
(b) endorseuponthepermitfullparticularsofthesecuritygiven.

25.Recruiter'slicence
(1)TheMinistermaylicencefitandproperpersonstorecruitcitizensinNigeriafor
thepurposeof
(a)employmentasworkersoutsideNigeria;or
(b)employmentasworkersinNigeria:

Providedthatanypersonwhohasbeengrantedalicencetorecruitcitizensforem
ploymentoutsideNigeriamayalsobegrantedalicencetorecruitcitizensforemploy
mentinsideNigeria.
(2)Alicencegrantedunderthissectionshallbevalidforaperiodoftwelvemonths
fromthedateofissue,andnotificationofthegrantshallbepublishedintheFederal
Gazette.
(3)Thegrantofalicenceunderthissectionmaybemadesubjecttosuchconditions
andrestrictionsastheMinistermaythinkfit;andanysuchconditionsorrestrictionsshall
beendorseduponthelicence.

(4)Everyapplicantforalicenceunderthissectionshall,ifsorequiredbytheMinis
ter,furnishsuchfinancialorothersecurityforhisproperconductasmayberequired.
(5)TheMinistermayatanytime
 (a) suspendalicencegrantedunderthissectionpendingtheresultofanyinvesti
gationintoanyallegedirregularity;and
(b) withdrawthelicenceifthelicenseehasbeenconvictedofanyoffenceunder
thisoranyotherlaworhasotherwisesoconductedhimselfasintheopinionof
theMinistertobenolongerafitandproperpersontoundertakerecruitingop
erations.
(6)Wherealicenceissuspendedorwithdrawnundersubsection(5)ofthissection,
notificationofthesuspensionorwithdrawalshallbepublishedintheFederalGazette.
26.Restrictionsonrecruiting
(1)Norecruitingoperationsshallbeconductedinanyareainwhichrecruitingis
prohibitedbytheMinisterbyorderorinalabourhealtharea.
(2)Norecruitershallrecruitworkersforservicewithanyperson
(a)unlessthatpersonisinpossessionofavalidpermitgrantedundersection24of
thisAct;or
(b)inexcessofthenumberofworkersauthorisedtoberecruitedbythepermit;or
(c)fromanyareaorplacewhichisnotspecifiedinthepermit.
(3)Nopublicofficershall
(a)actasarecruitingagent;or
(b)exercisepressureuponpossiblerecruits;or
(c) receivefromanysourcewhatsoeveranyspecialremunerationorotherspecial
inducementforassistanceinrecruiting.
27.Recruiting:miscellaneousprovisions
(1)Everyrecruitershallkeepintheprescribedformrecordsfromwhichtheregular
ityofeveryrecruitingoperationandofhisownconductcanbeverifiedandshallproduce
therecordsforinspectionondemandbyanauthorisedlabourofficer.
(2)Nopersonshallassistarecruiterinasubordinatecapacityintheactualrecruiting
operationunlesshehasbeenapprovedinwritingbytheMinisterandhasbeenfurnished
withwrittenauthoritybytherecruiter;and,wherearecruiter'sassistantcommitsanof
fenceunderthisPartofthisAct,boththeassistantandtherecruitershallbedeemedto
havecommittedtheoffenceandshalleachbeliableonconvictiontothepenaltytherefor.
(3)Arecruiterwhoistheagentorassistantofanotherrecruiter
(a)shallreceiveafixedsalary;or
(b) withthewrittenapprovaloftheMinister,mayreceiveremunerationcalculated
ataratepercapitaofworkersrecruited,theratebeingspecifiedintheap
proval.
(4)Norecruitershallrecruitanyyoungperson:
ProvidedthattheMinistermayinwritingauthorisetherecruitmentofyoungper
sonswhoseapparentageexceedssixteenyearswiththeconsentoftheparentsorguard
ianforemploymentinanoccupationappearingtotheMinisternottobeinjurioustotheir
 moralorphysicaldevelopment,subjecttosuchsafeguardsrelatingtotheirwelfareas
maybestatedintheauthorisation.

(5)Noadvanceinexcessofatotalsumoftennairashallbepaidtoanyrecruited
workerinrespectofwagespriortohisemployment,andanyadvancewhichismadeshall
besubjecttosuchconditionsastheMinistermaydirectgenerallyorinrespectofany
particularcase.
(6)Inanycasewherearecruitedworkerisnotengagedatorneartheplaceofre
cruiting,theMinistermayinhisdiscretionrequire,eithergenerallyorinanyspecific
recruitingoperation,theissuetotheworkerofadocumentinwritingcontainingparticu
larsof
(a)theidentityoftheworker;
(b)theprospectiveconditionsofemployment;and
(c)anyadvanceofwagesmadetotheworker,
andcontainingsuchotherparticularsastheMinistermayconsidernecessary.

(7)Therecruitingoftheheadofafamilyshallnotbedeemedtoinvolvetherecruit
ingofanymemberofhisfamily.
(8)Whereaworker'sfamilyaccompanieshimtohisplaceofemploymentundersec
tion34or44ofthisAct,heandthemembersofhisfamilyshallnotbeseparatedexcept
attheexpressrequestofthepersonsconcerned.
28.Health
(1)Everyrecruitedworkershallbemedicallyexaminedundersection8ofthisAct.
(2)Whereaworkerhasbeenrecruitedforemploymentatadistancefromtheplace
ofrecruitingorhasbeenrecruitedforemploymentoutsideNigeria,themedicalexamina
tionshalltakeplaceasnearasmaybeconvenienttotheplaceofrecruitingor,inthecase
ofworkersrecruitedforemploymentoutsideNigeria,atthelastplaceofdeparturefrom
Nigeria.
(3)TheMinistermayempoweranauthorisedlabourofficerbeforewhomrecruited
workersarebroughtundersection33or39ofthisActtopermitthedeparturepriorto
medicalexaminationofanysuchworkerinwhosecasetheofficerissatisfiedthat
(a) itwasandisimpossibleforthemedicalexaminationtotakeplaceneartothe
placeofrecruitingorattheplaceofdeparture;
(b)theworkerappearstitforthejourneyandtheprospectiveemployment;and
(c) theworkerwillbemedicallyexaminedonarrivalattheplaceofemployment
orassoonaspossiblethereafter.
(4)TheMinistermayinhisdiscretion(andparticularlywhenthejourneyofanyre
cruitedworkersisofsuchadurationandtakesplaceundersuchconditionsthatthehealth
oftheworkersislikelytobeaffected)requireanyrecruitedworkerstobeexaminedboth
beforedepartureandafterarrivalattheplaceofemployment.

(5)TheMinistershallensurethatallnecessarymeasuresaretakenfortheacclimati
sationandadaptationofrecruitedworkersandfortheirimmunisationagainstdisease,and
mayissuesuchdirectionsinthatbehalfashemaythinkfit,eithergenerallyorinrespect
ofanyparticularrecruitingoperation.
29.Transport
(1)Therecruiteroremployershallprovidetransporttotheplaceofemployment,ex
ceptinsofarasanauthorisedlabourofficermayinanyparticularcasecertifythatthe
provisionoftransportisimpossibleforthewholeoranypartofthejourney.
(2)TheMinistershallissuesuchdirectionsashemayconsidernecessarytoensure
that
(a) thevehiclesandvesselsusedforthetransportofrecruitedworkersaresuitable
forthepurpose;
(b) whenitisnecessarytobreakthejourneyforthenight,suitableaccommodation
isprovided;
(c) inthecaseoflongjourneysallnecessaryarrangementsaremadeformedical
assistancefortherecruitedworkersandfortheirwelfare;
(d) whererecruitedworkershavetomakelongjourneysonfoottotheplaceof
employment
(i)thelengthofthedailyjourneyiscompatiblewiththehealthand
strengthoftherecruitedworkers;and
(ii)iftheextentofthemovementoflabourrendersitnecessary,restcamps
orresthousesareprovidedatsuitablepointsonthemainroutesandarekeptin
propersanitaryconditionandhavethenecessaryfacilitiesformedicalattention;and
(e) adequateprotection(whichmayincludetheprovisionofseparateaccommo
dation)isaffordedduringthejourneytomembersofthefamilyofarecruited
workeraccompanyinghimundersection34or44ofthisAct.
(3)Whererecruitedworkershavetomakelongjourneysingroupstotheplaceof
employment,theyshallbeconveyedbyaresponsiblepersonapprovedbyanauthorised
labourofficer.
(4)TheMinistermaymakeregulationsprescribingtheconditionsunderwhichre
cruitedworkersmaybetransportedbyroad,seaorairand,withoutprejudicetothegen
eralityoftheforegoing,anysuchregulationsmaymakeprovisionforcompliancewith
NigerianimmigrationlawsandfortherecoveryofanyexpensesincurredbytheFederal
Governmentinrepatriatinganyworker.
30.Expensesandmaintenance
(1)Theexpenseofthejourneyofrecruitedworkerstotheplaceofemployment,in
cludingallexpensesincurredfortheirwelfareduringthejourney,shallbebornebythe
recruiterortheemployer.
(2)Therecruitershallfurnishrecruitedworkerswitheverythingnecessaryfortheir
welfareduringthejourneytotheplaceofemployment,includingparticularly,aslocalcircumstances
mayrequire,adequateandsuitablesuppliesoffood,drinkingwater,fuel,
cookingutensils,clothingandblankets.
 (3)TheMinistermayissuedirections,eithergenerallyorinrespectofanyparticular
recruitingoperation,fortheproperimplementationofsubsection(2)ofthissection.
(4)TheMinistermaybyorderapplyalloranyoftheprovisionsofthissectionorany
directionsissuedthereunder,eithergenerallyorinanyparticularcase,totherecruitment
ofworkersunderacertificateissuedpursuanttoselection23ofthisActandtothe
workerrecruiterandemployerconcerned.

31.Repatriation
(1)Anyrecruitedworkerwho

(a) becomesincapacitatedbysicknessoraccidentduringthejourneytotheplace
ofemployment;or
(b)isfoundonmedicalexaminationtobeunfitforemployment;or

(c) forareasonforwhichheisnotresponsible,isnotengagedafterbeingrecruited;or
(d) isfoundbyanauthorisedlabourofficertohavebeenrecruitedbymisrepresen
tationormistake,
shallberepatriatedattheexpenseoftherecruiteroremployer.
(2)Wherethefamilyofarecruitedworkeraccompanieshimundersection34or44
ofthisAct,sections27(6)and28ofthisAct(andanyrequirementsordirectionsthere
under)shallapplytothefamilyasnearlyasmaybe;and,iftheworker
(a)isrepatriatedundersubsection(1)ofthissection;or
(b)diesduringthejourneytotheplaceofemployment,
thefamilyshallberepatriatedattheexpenseoftherecruiteroremployer.

32.Capitationfee
Uponthecompletionofanyagreementforacontractofworkbyarecruitedworker,
thereshallbepaidtoanauthorisedlabourofficerfortheFederalGovernmentbytheem
ployerorhisagentinrespectoftheworkeracapitationfeeofsuchsumasmaybefixed,
eithergenerallyorinrespectofanyparticularrecruitingoperation,bytheMinisterby
order.

RecruitingforemploymentinNigeria
33.Proceduralrequirements
(1)NocitizenrecruitedforemploymentinNigeriashallbeemployeduntilhehas

(a) beenmedicallyexaminedundersection8ofthissectionandpassedfittoper
formtheworkforwhichhehasbeenrecruited;and
(b) beenbroughtbeforeanauthorisedlabourofficerandcertifiedasproperlyand
dulyrecruitedinaccordancewiththisPartofthisAct.
 (2)Anauthorisedlabourofficershall,beforeissuingacertificateundersubsec
tion(1)(b)ofthissection,satisfyhimselfthatthecontractconformswithPartIofthis
Actandthattherecruitedworker

(a)understandsandagreestothetermsuponwhichheistobeemployed;
(b) hasnotbeensubjectedtoillegalpressureorrecruitedbymisrepresentationor
mistake;
(c)hasbeenrecruitedinaccordancewiththisPartofthisAct;
(d)isaccompaniedbysuchmembersofhisfamilyashewishestotakewithhim
undersection34ofthisAct;
(e) subjecttosection27(4)ofthisAct,isoforabovetheageofeighteenyears;
and

(f) hasbeenmedicallyexaminedandpassedfittoperformtheworkforwhichhe
hasbeenrecruited.

34.Righttobeaccompaniedbyfamily

(1)AnycitizenwhoisrecruitedforserviceinNigeriamaybeaccompaniedtohis
placeofemploymentandattendedduringhisemploymenttherebysuchmembersofhis
family(notexceedingtwowivesandsuchofhischildrenasareundertheageofsixteen
years)ashewishestotakewithhim.

(2)Nopersonshallinduceorattempttoinduceanyrecruitedworkernottorequireto
beaccompaniedbymembersofhisfamilyundersubsection(1)ofthissection,orprevent
orattempttopreventthosemembersfromsoaccompanyingtheworker.
(3)Notwithstandingsubsection(1)ofthissection,theMinistermaybyorder,either
generallyorinrespectofanyparticularrecruitingoperation,limitthenumberofwives
andchildrenwhomayaccompanyarecruitedworker.

35.Defermentofwages
(1)TheMinistermayinhisdiscretionallowthepaymentofwagesduetoarecruited
workerwhoisengagedforemploymentwithinNigeriatobedeferreduntilthecomple
tionofhiscontract:

Providedthatnotmorethanonehalfofeachmonth'swagesshallbesodeferred.
(2)Whereanemployerisauthorisedtodeferthewagesofaworkerundersubsec
tion(1)ofthissection
(a) theMinistermayrequiretheemployereithertodepositasumofmoneyby
wayofsecurity,ortoenterintoabondinsuchformastheMinisterthinksfit
fortheduepaymentofthedeferredwages;and
(b) oncompletionofthecontracttheamountofthedeferredwagesshallbepaidto
theworkeratsuchplaceandinsuchmannerastheMinistermaydirect.
 RecruitingforemploymentoutsideNigeria
36.Powerofprohibition
ThePresidentmaybyorderprohibittherecruitmentorengagementofcitizensfor
employmentoutsideNigeriainanyterritorynamedintheorder.
37.Internationalagreements
Wherethereisinexistenceatreaty,conventionorotherinternationalagreementbe
tweenNigeriaandanyothercountryrelatingtotherecruitmentofcitizensforemploy
mentoutsideNigeria,thePresidentmaybyordergivetheforceoflawtoalloranyofthe
provisionsoftheagreementinplaceoforinadditiontosections38to44ofthisActor
anyparticularprovisionsofthosesections.
38.Durationofcontractandreturnpassages
(1)Theperiodofaforeigncontractshallbeinaccordancewiththetermsofany
agreemententeredintobetweenNigeriaandanyothercountryforthepurposeofthere
cruitmentinNigeriaofNigerianworkersforserviceinthecountryconcerned,andsub
jectthereto,aforeigncontractshallnotbeforalongerperiodthan
(a)oneyear,iftheworkerisnotaccompaniedbyhisfamily;or
(b)twoyears,iftheworkerisaccompaniedbyhisfamily.

(2)Withinthirtydaysaftertheexpirationofaforeigncontract,theemployerto
whomtheemployer'spermitwasgrantedundersection24ofthisAct(ortheagentof
thatemployer)shalloffertoprovidetheworkerwithareturnpassageforhimselfandhis
family,ifany,totheplaceofrecruitment,togetherwithproperaccommodationand
maintenanceonthejourney.
(3)If,whileaworkerunderaforeigncontractisonajourneyorvoyage
(a)theperiodexpressedinhiscontractforthedurationofthecontractexpires;or
(b)hegivesnoticetoterminatethecontract,

theemployermayprolongthecontractforaperiodnotexceedingonemonthforthepur
poseofcompletingthejourneyorvoyage.
39.ProcedurepriortoleavingNigeria
(1)NocitizenshallleaveNigeriaunderaforeigncontracttoserveasaworkerout
sideNigeriaunlesshehasbeen
(a) medicallyexaminedundersection8ofthisActandpassedfittoperformthe
workforwhichhewasengaged;and
(b) broughtbeforeanauthorisedlabourofficerandcertifiedbythatofficerasduly
recruitedinaccordancewiththisPartofthisAct.
(2)Beforeissuingacertificateundersubsection(1)(b)ofthissection,anauthorised
labourofficershallsatisfyhimselfthat
(a) avalidcontractforemploymentofthecitizenhasbeendulyenteredintoin
accordancewithsection40ofthisAct;
 (b) thecitizenhasobtained
(i)theconsentinwritingofthelocalgovernmentauthoritywithinwhose
jurisdictionheordinarilyresidessignifiedbeforeanadministrativeofficer,anda
certificateinwritingfromtheadministrativeofficertothateffect;or
(ii) ifthecitizendoesnotordinarilyresidewithinthejurisdictionofalocal
governmentauthority,theconsentinwritingofanadministrativeofficer;
(b) thecitizenhasnotbeensubjecttoillegalpressureorrecruitedbymisrepresen
tationormistake;
(c)thecitizenhasbeenrecruitedinaccordancewiththisPartofthisAct;
(d)thecitizenisoforabovetheproperageforrecruitmentinaccordancewith
section27(4)ofthisAct;
(e) thecitizenhasbeenmedicallyexaminedundersection8ofthisActandpassed
ittoperformtheworkforwhichhehasbeenrecruited.
(3)Anadministrativeofficershallnotgiveacertificateorhisconsentundersubsec
tion(2)(b)ofthissectionunlessheisreasonablysatisfiedwithregardtothecitizencon
cerned
(a) thatthecitizenisnotabandoningwives,childrenorotherrelativesdependent
uponhimformaintenanceandthatdueprovisionhasbeenmadeforthemain
tenanceduringthecitizen'sabsenceofanypersonsdependentuponhim;and
(b) thatthecitizen'sabsencefromNigeriaisnotobviouslyinconsistentwithen
gagementsintowhichhehaspreviouslyenteredorwithobligationsimposed
bylaw,customorusage.
40.Specialtermsandconditionsofcontract
(1)Everyforeigncontractshall,inadditiontoanytermsorconditionsrequiredtobe
insertedbyanyotherprovisionofthisAct,containtermsorconditions
(a) providingforworkerstohaveonedayfreeofworkineachweek;
(b) providingforadailyrationoffoodtobeprovidedfree;
(c) providingfor
(i) rationsandhalfpaytobegivenfromthedateofrecruitmenttothedate
ofdeparturefromNigeria,andfullpayandrationsthereafter;and
(ii) fullpayandrationstobegivenonthereturnjourneyuptodisembar
kationinNigeria,andrationsandhalfpaytobegivenfromthepointof
disembarkationtotheplaceofrecruitment;
(d) providingforonehalf(orsuchotherproportionasmaybespecifiedinthe
contract)ofhiswagestobepaidmonthlytotheworkerdirectinlawfulcur
rency,andfortheremainingportiontoberemittedtoanauthorisedlabourof
ficerintheareainwhichtheworkerwasrecruitedforpaymenttotheworker
onhisreturntohishome;
(e) givingparticularsoftheclothing,blankets,cookingutensils,fuelandhousing
accommodationtobefurnishedbytheemployerfreeofcharge;
 (f) givingparticularsofthemedicalattentionandhousingaccommodationtobe
providedbytheemployerfreeofcharge;
(g) givingparticularsofthetransporttobeprovidedfreetotheworkerfromandto
theplaceofrecruitmentandtheplaceofemployment;
(h) givingparticularsofthearrangementstobemadewithregardtotheprovision
ofrationsandthemattersmentionedinparagraphs(e),(f)and(g)ofthissub
sectiontomembersoffamiliesauthorisedtoaccompanyworkers;
(i) givingparticularsofthetermsandconditionsofrepatriationofworkersand
theirfamiliesandoftheproceduretobefollowedincaseofarefusalofrepat
riation;
(j)givingparticularsoftheproceduretobefollowedincaseofthedeathorde
sertionoforothercasualtytotheworker,withparticularreferenceto
(i)thepaymentofanywagesduetohim;
(ii) thedistributionofanymoneysinthehandsofanauthorisedlabour
officer;and
(iii)thereportingofthedeath,desertionorothercasualtytotheproper
authorities;
(k) givingparticularsofthedeductionswhichmaybemadefromthewagesofthe
workerandtheworker'srightsofappeal;
(I) givingparticularsoftheproceduretobefollowedforthedismissalofthe
workerforinefficiencyarisingfromsicknessorforanyotherreason,andof
hisrightsunderthatprocedure;and
(m) specifyingthetermsofreengagement.

(2)Everyforeigncontractshallbemadeintriplicateandenteredintointhepresence
ofanauthorisedlabourofficer,whoshall
(a) upontheproductiontohimoftheemployer'spermitauthorisingtheengage
mentoftheworkerinquestion,causethecontracttobereadovertothe
workeror,iftheworkerisunabletounderstandthelanguageinwhichthe
contractiswritten,tobetranslatedorallyintoalanguagewhichisunderstood
bytheworker;and
(b) ifheissatisfiedthatthecontractisfullyunderstoodandvoluntarilyentered
intobytheworker,certifybyendorsementonthecontractthathehascarried
outtheprovisionsofthissubsectionandthattheworkerhasbeendulyre
cruitedunderthisPartofthisAct;and
(c) enterontheemployer'spermitthenumberofworkersengagedthereunder.

(3)TheMinistershallensurethatacopyofeveryforeigncontractistransmittedas
soonasmaybetothegovernmentoftheterritoryinwhichtheplaceofemploymentis
situated.
(4)Anauthorisedlabourofficershallkeeparegisterof
(a) thenameandplaceofabodeofeveryworkerenteringintoaforeigncontract
beforehimundersubsection(2)ofthissection;
(b) thedateanddurationofthecontract;
 (c) theplaceofemploymentthereunder;
(d)thenameoftheemployerandhisagent,ifany;and
(e)thenatureoftheemployment,

andtheregister(oracopyofanyentrythereincertifiedasatruecopybythatoranother
authorisedlabourofficer)shallbereceivedinanycourtasevidenceofthefactsstated
thereinwithoutfurtherproof.
41.Surrenderofpermits
Where,inrelationtoaforeigncontract

(a) thefullnumberofworkersauthorisedbytheemployer'spermithasbeenen
gaged;or
(b) theperiodforwhichthepermitwasissuedhasexpired,

thepermitshallberenderedtoanauthorisedlabourofficerfortransmissionforthwithto
theMinister.

42.Embarkationcheck
Whereaforeigncontractisenteredintobeforeanauthorisedlabourofficerunder
section40(2)ofthisAct
(a) theemployerorhisagentshallsupplytheauthorisedlabourofficerwithalist
ofalltheworkersengagedunderthecontract;
(b) theauthorisedlabourofficershalltransmitthelistassoonaspossibletothe
officerinchargeofpoliceattheportofembarkation;and
(c) thesaidofficerinchargeofpolice(orapoliceofficeractingunderhisdirec
tion)shall
(i)superintendtheembarkationoftheworkers;
(ii)causeeachworkertoreporthimselfsothathisnamemaybechecked
withthelist;and
(iii)oncompletionofthecheck,reporttotheauthorisedlabourofficerthe
factofcompletionandsuchothermattersinconnectionwiththeem
barkationashethinksnecessary.
43.Exemptionfromcustomsonrepatriation
Thepersonaleffectsandtoolsbelongingtoworkers(ormembersoftheirfamilies)
who
(a)haveleftNigeriainpursuanceofaforeigncontract;and

(b) arerepatriatedeitherbytheemployerorhisagentorbytheFederalGovern
ment,
shallbeexemptfromcustomsduties.
44.Righttobeaccompaniedbyfamilyatemployer'sexpense
WhereaworkerisrecruitedforemploymentoutsideNigeria,itshallbethedutyof
theemployertoprovidefacilitiesathisownexpensetoenabletheworker'sfamily(not
exceedingtwowivesandsuchofhischildrenundertheageofsixteenyearsashewishes
toaccompanyhim)toaccompanyhimtotheplaceofemploymentandtoremaintherefor
thefulldurationofthecontract:

Providedthat,ifthecontractisforlessthanoneyear,provisionmaybemadefor
thefamilytoremainforlessthanthefulldurationofthecontract.

Enforcementprovisions

45.Inducingrecruitingbyfraud,etc.
(1)Nopersonshallbyfraud,falsehood,intimidation,coercionormisrepresentation
induceanyworkertoenterintoacontractunderthisPart,andanycontractenteredinto
byreasonofanysuchinducementshallbevoid,savethattheemployerorhisagentshall
beliabletopaywagesdueunderthecontractandtoprovideforthereturntohisplaceof
abodeofanyworkerengagedthereunder,togetherwithanymembersofhisfamilywho
haveaccompaniedhim.
(2)Iftheemployerorhisagentfailstopaythewagesinquestionortoprovidefor
thereturnoftheworkerandthemembersofhisfamilyinaccordancewithsubsection(1)
ofthissection,thewagesshallbepaid,andtheexpensesofthereturnshallbeborne,by
theFederalGovernment,andmayberecoveredbythatgovernmentfromtheemployeror
hisagentbydeductionfromanydepositorsecuritygivenundersection24(7)ofthisAct
orbycivilproceedings.

46.Neglectorilltreatment
(1)Anyemployerwhoneglectsorilltreatsanyworkerwhomhehascontractedto
employinaccordancewiththisPartofthisActshallbeguiltyofanoffence,andoncon
victionshallbeliabletoafinenotexceedingN500ortoimprisonmentforatermnot
exceedingoneyear,ortoboth.
(2)Whereanemployerorhisagentisconvictedofanoffenceundersubsection(1)of
thissection,theconvictingcourtshallreportthecasetotheMinister,whomaybynotice
intheFederalGazettecancelanycontractintowhichtheemployerorhisagentmayhave
enteredinaccordancewiththisPartofthisAct.

(3)Anycancellationundersubsection(2)ofthissectionshallhaveeffectfromthe
dateofthepublicationoftherelevantnotice.
(4)Everyworkerwhosecontracthasbeencancelledundersubsection(2)ofthissec
tionshallbemaintainedandconveyedtohisplaceofabode(togetherwithanymembers
ofhisfamilywhohaveaccompaniedhim)attheexpenseoftheFederalGovernment,and
allsumsreasonablyexpendeduponthemaintenanceandconveyance,togetherwithany
wagesduetotheworkerunderthecancelledcontract,mayberecoveredfromtheem
ployerorhisagentbydeductionfromanydepositorsecuritygivenundersection24(7)
ofthisActorbycivilproceedings.
(5)Thecancellationofacontractunderthissectionshallnotpreventthetakingofle
galproceedingsinrespectofthecontractunderthisoranyotherenactment.
47.Otheroffences

(1)Anypersonwho
(a)recruitsorattemptstorecruitanycitizencontrarytosection23ofthisAct;or

(b) contravenesorfailstogiveeffecttoanyspecialconditionorrestrictionen
dorsedonanemployer'spermitgrantedundersection24ofthisAct,orare
cruiter'slicencegrantedtohimundersection25ofthisAct;or
(c) beingaholderofarecruiter'slicence,recruitscitizensforapersonwhoisnot
aholderofanemployer'spermit;or
(d) inducesorattemptstoinduce,orassistsorofferstoassist,anycitizentoleave
NigeriainordertobeemployedasaworkeroutsideNigeriaotherwisethan
underacontractwhichconformswithsection40ofthisAct;or
(e) engagesoroffersoragreestoemployortofindemploymentforanycitizenas
aworkeroutsideNigeriaexceptunderacontractwhichconformswithsec
tion40ofthisAct;or
(f) failstosurrendertotheMinisteranemployer'spermitinthecircumstances
mentionedinparagraphs(a)and(b)ofsection41ofthisAct;or
(g) contravenessection26,27,29or30ofthisAct(oranydirectionissuedthere
under),
shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandonconvictionshallbeliabletoafinenotexceeding
N2,000ortoimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingfiveyears,ortoboth.
(2)Anyemployeroremployer'sagentwhofailstoofferareturnpassageincompli
ancewithsection38(2)ofthisActshallbeguiltyofanoffenceandonconvictionshall
beliabletoafinenotexceedingN200;andanyrepatriationexpensesincurredbythe
FederalGovernmentasaresultofthefailuremayberecoveredbythatgovernmentfrom
theemployeroremployer'sagentbydeductionfromanydepositorsecuritygivenunder
section24(7)ofthisActorbycivilproceedings.

48.Application
(1)ThisPartisadditionaltoandnotinderogationofPartIofthisActbutshallnot
applytotherecruitingofcitizensforserviceasworkersinNigeriaiftherecruiting
(a) isundertakenbyoronbehalfofanemployerwhodoesnotemploymorethan
25workers;or
(b) isundertakenwithinaradiusoffortykilometresfromtheplaceofemploy
ment,
andisnotundertakenbyaprofessionalrecruiter,thatistosay,apersonwhoholdsare
cruiter'slicence.

(2)TheMinistermaymakeregulationsapplyingthisPartofthisAct(withsuch
modifications,ifany,ashethinksappropriate)tolabourcontractorsthatistosay,per
sonswhoundertaketoprovideanotherpartywiththeservicesofworkerswhilethem
selvesremainingtheemployersoftheworkersinquestion.
 PARTIII

Specialclassesofworkerandmiscellaneousspecialprovisions

Apprentices

49.Contractsofapprenticeship
(1)Theparentor,inthecaseofanorphan,theguardianofayoungpersonabovethe
ageoftwelveyearsandundertheageofsixteenyearsmay,withtheconsentofthatper
sontestifiedbyhisexecutionofawrittencontractofapprenticeship,apprenticethatper
sontoanemployertotrainhimorhavehimtrainedsystematicallyforatradeorem
ploymentinwhichartorskillisrequired,orasadomesticservant,foranytermnotex
ceedingfiveyears.
(2)Whereayoungpersonabovetheageoftwelveyearsandundertheageofsixteen
yearsiswithoutknownparentsoraguardian,anauthorisedlabourofficermayauthorise
theapprenticeshipofthatpersonandappointsomefitandproperpersontoexecutethe
writtencontractofapprenticeshipandactgenerallyasguardianofthatyoungperson.
(3)Anyyoungpersonoftheageofsixteenyearsorabovenotbeingunderanycon
tractofapprenticeshipmayapprenticehimselfforanytermnotexceedingfiveyearsto
anytradeoremploymentinwhichartorskillisrequired.
(4)Theageofanypersonmay,wherenoregisterofbirthsisavailable,beenquired
intoanddeterminedbytheauthorisedlabourofficerbeforewhomacontractofappren
ticeshipisattestedinaccordancewithsection50ofthisAct;andtheagesodetermined
shallbeconclusiveforthepurposesofsections49to53ofthisAct.
(5)Everycontractofapprenticeshipmay,withtheconsentoftheparties,beassigned
bytheemployer.
(6)Amagistrate'scourt(or,inaStatewhereamagistrate'scourthasnociviljuris
diction,adistrictcourt)shallhavepowerandjurisdictiontohearanddetermineany
questionarisingoutofacontractofapprenticeshiporanydisputebetweenanyofthe
partiestosuchacontract,whetherarisingfrombreachofthecontractorotherwise,and
forthatpurposeshallhaveallthepowersconferreduponamagistrate'scourtordistrict
court,asthecasemaybe,bysections80to85ofthisAct.

50.Attestation
(1)Everycontractofapprenticeshipandeveryassignmentthereofshallbeinwriting;
andnosuchwritingshallbevalidunlessattestedbyandmadewiththeapprovalofan
authorisedlabourofficercertifiedinwritingunderhishandonthecontractorassign
ment.

(2)Beforeattestinganycontractofapprenticeship,anauthorisedlabourofficer
shall
(a) ascertainthattheapprenticehasconsentedtothecontractandthathisconsent
hasnotbeenobtainedbycoercionorundueinfluenceorastheresultofmis
representationormistake;and
 (b) satisfyhimselfthat
(i) theapprenticehasbeenmedicallyexaminedandcertifiedbyaquali
fiedmedicalpractitionertobephysicallyandmentallyfittobeem
ployedandtrainedintheemploymentspecifiedinthecontract;
(ii) thepartiestothecontracthavefullyunderstoodthetermsofthecon
tractbeforesigningitorotherwiseindicatingconsent;
(iii) provisionhasbeenmadeinthecontractastothemannerinwhichany
remunerationincashorotherwiseduetotheapprenticeshallbedeter
minedandastothescaleofincreaseinremunerationduringthecourse
oftheapprenticeship;
(iv) provisionhasbeenmadeinthecontractforpaymentofremunerationto
theapprenticeduringillnessandduringholidays,ifany;
(v) wheretheapprenticeisunablebyreasonofhisapprenticeshiptoreturn
tohishomeattheendofeachday,thecontractcontainsadequatepro
visiontoensurethattheapprenticeissuppliedwithfood,clothing,ac
commodationandmedicalattention;and
(vi) thetermsofthecontractareinaccordancewithanyregulationsmade
undersection52ofthisAct.

51.Retentionofapprenticeafterexpiryofcontract
Ifanypersonwithwhomanapprenticehasbeenplaced,retainstheapprenticeinhis
serviceafterthestipulatedperiodofservicehasexpiredwithoutanyagreementbetween
thepartiesforthepaymentofwages,theapprenticeshallbeentitledtorecoverfromthe
personsoretaininghimwagesattheordinarycurrentratepayableforservicesimilarto
thatperformedbytheapprentice.
52.Regulations
TheMinistermaymakeregulationsprovidingfor

(a) theformofcontractsofapprenticeship,thetermsandconditionsuponwhich
contractsofapprenticeshipmaybelawfullyenteredintoandthedutiesand
obligationsofapprenticesandtheirmasters;
(b)theregistrationofcontractsofapprenticeshipwithaspecifiedofficer;

(c) thenumberofapprenticeswhomaybeapprenticedduringaspecifiedperiodin
anyspecifiedtradeoremployment;
(d) thetechnicalandotherqualificationsofemployersentitlingthemtotakeand
trainapprentices;
(e) theconditionsgoverningtheentryofpersonsovertwelveandundersixteen
yearsofageintoapprenticeship;
(f)themutualrightsandobligationsofemployerandapprentice;

(g) thesupervisiontobeestablishedoverapprenticeship,withaviewtoensuring
inparticularthattheregulationsgoverningapprenticeshipandthetermsofany
contractofapprenticeshipareobserved,thatthetrainingissatisfactoryand
thatthereisreasonableuniformityintheconditionsofapprenticeship;and
 (h) theholdingofexaminationsofapprenticesontheexpiryoftheperiodofap
prenticeshipand,wherenecessary,inthecourseofapprenticeship,determin
ingthemethodsoforganisingtheexaminationsandtheissueofcertificates
basedontheresultsthereof.

53.Offences
(1)Anypersonwhoremovesorattemptstoremoveanyapprenticewhoisabovethe
ageoftwelveyearsandundertheageofsixteenyearsfromNigeriawithouttheauthority
inwritingoftheMinistershallbeguiltyofanoffenceandonconvictionshallbeliableto
afinenotexceedingN500ortoimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingoneyear,orto
both.
(2)Anypersonwhoemploysanapprenticeformorethansixmonthsonacontract
whichhasnotbeenattestedundersection50ofthisActorinducesorattemptstoinduce
anyapprenticetoquittheserviceofhisemployershallbeguiltyofanoffenceandon
convictionshallbeliabletoafinenotexceedingN200ortoimprisonmentforaperiod
notexceedingsixmonths,ortoboth.
Employmentofwomen
54.Maternityprotection
(1)Inanypublicorprivateindustrialorcommercialundertakingorinanybranch
thereof,orinanyagriculturalundertakingoranybranchthereof,awoman
(a) shallhavetherighttoleaveherworkifsheproducesamedicalcertificate
givenbyaregisteredmedicalpractitionerstatingthatherconfinementwill
probablytakeplacewithinsixweeks;
(b)shallnotbepermittedtoworkduringthesixweeksfollowingherconfinement;
(c) ifsheisabsentfromherworkinpursuanceofparagraph(a)or(b)ofthissub
sectionandhadbeencontinuouslyemployedbyherthenemployerforaperiod
ofsixmonthsormoreimmediatelypriortoherabsence,shallbepaidnotless
thanfiftypercentofthewagesshewouldhaveearnedifshehadnotbeenab
sent;and
(d) shallinanycase,ifsheisnursingherchild,beallowedhalfanhourtwicea
dayduringherworkinghoursforthatpurpose.
(2)Subsection(1)(c)ofthissectionshallhaveeffectnotwithstandinganylawrelat
ingtothefixingandpaymentofaminimumwage.
(3)Noemployershallbeliable,inhiscapacityasanemployer,topayanymedical
expensesincurredbyawomanduringoronaccountofherpregnancyorconfinement.
(4)Whereawoman

(a) isabsentfromherworkinpursuanceofsubsection(1)(a)or(b)ofthissec
tion;or

(b)remainsabsentfromherworkforalongerperiodasaresultofillnesscertified
byaregisteredmedicalpractitionertoariseoutofherpregnancyorconfine
mentandtorenderherunfitforwork,
then,untilherabsencehasexceededsuchaperiod(ifany)asmaybeprescribed,noem
ployershallgivehernoticeofdismissalduringherabsenceornoticeofdismissalexpir
ingduringherabsence.
(5)Insubsection(1)(d)ofthissection,"child"includesbothalegitimateandanil
legitimatechild.

55.Nightwork
(1)Subjecttothissection,nowomanshallbeemployedonnightworkinapublicor
privateindustrialundertakingorinanybranchthereof,orinanyagriculturalundertaking
oranybranchthereof.
(2)Subsection(1)ofthissectionshallnotapplytowomenemployedasnursesinany
publicorprivateindustrialundertakingorinanyagriculturalundertaking,nortowomen
holdingresponsiblepositionsofmanagementwhoarenotordinarilyengagedinmanual
labour;andinanyproceedingsbroughtunderorinconnectionwiththesaidsubsec
tion(1)ofthissection,itshallbeagooddefenceifitisshowntothesatisfactionofthe
courttryingtheproceedingsthat
(a) thenightworkinquestionwasduetoaninterruptionofworkwhichitwas
impossibletoforeseeandwhichisnotofarecurringcharacter;or
(b) thenightworkinquestionhadtodowithrawmaterialormaterialsincourseof
treatmentwhicharesubjecttorapiddeterioration,anditwasnecessarytopre
servesuchmaterialsfromcertainloss.

(3)Inthissection,"night"means
(a) asrespectsindustrialundertakings,aperiodofatleasteleven(or,wherean
orderundersubsection(4)belowapplies,ten)consecutivehours,includingthe
intervalbetweenteno'clockintheeveningandfiveo'clockinthemorning;
and
(b) asrespectagriculturalundertakings,aperiodofatleastnineconsecutivehours
includingtheintervalbetweennineo'clockintheeveningandfouro'clockin
themorning.
(4)TheMinistermaybyorderpermittheelevenhourperiodmentionedinsubsec
tion(3)(a)ofthissectiontobereducedtotenhoursonnotmorethansixtydaysinany
oneyearinrespectofanyindustrialundertakingifheissatisfiedthattheundertakingis
intluencedbytheseasonsoftheyearorthatthereductionisnecessarybecauseofspecial
circumstances.

(5)TheMinistermaybyorderexcludefromtheapplicationofthissection,those
womencoveredbyacollectiveagreementinforcewhichpermitsnightworkforwomen,
butbeforemakingsuchanordertheMinistershallsatisfyhimselfthatadequateprovision
existsforthetransportationandprotectionofthewomenconcerned.

56.Undergroundwork
(1)Subjecttosubsection(2)ofthissection,nowomanshallbeemployedonunder
groundworkinanymine.

(2)Subjection(1)ofthissectionshallnotapplyto
(a) womenholdingpositionsofmanagementwhodonotperformmanuallabour;
or
(b)womenemployedinhealthandwelfareservices;or
(c) womenwhoincourseoftheirstudiesspendaperiodoftraininginunder
groundpartsofamine;or
(d) anyotherwomenwhomayoccasionallyhavetoentertheundergroundpartsof
amineforthepurposesofanonmanualoccupation.

57.Regulations
TheMinistermaymakeregulationsprohibitingorrestricting,subjecttosuchcondi
tionsasmaybespecifiedintheregulations,theemploymentofwomeninanyparticular
typeortypesofindustrialorotherundertakingsorinanyprocessorworkcarriedonby
suchundertakings.

58.Offences
(1)Anyperson,who,beingtheproprietor,ownerormanagerofanyindustrial,com
mercialoragriculturalundertaking,contravenesanyprovisionofsection54ofthisAct
shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandonconvictionshallbeliabletoatinenotexceeding
N200ortoimprisonmentforatermnotexceedingthreemonths,ortoboth.
(2)Anypersonwhoemploysawomanincontraventionofsection55(1)or56(1)of
thisActshallbeguiltyofanoffenceandonconvictionshallbeliabletoafinenotex
ceedingN100ortoimprisonmentforatermnotexceedingonemonth,ortoboth.
Youngpersons

59.General
(1)NochildshaJl
(a) beemployedorworkinanycapacityexceptwhereheisemployedbyamem
berofhisfamilyonlightworkofanagricultural,horticulturalordomestic
characterapprovedbytheMinister;or
(b) berequiredinanycasetolift,carryormoveanythingsoheavyastobelikely
toinjurehisphysicaldevelopment.
(2)Noyoungpersonundertheageoffifteenyearsshallbeemployedorworkinany
industrialundertaking:
Providedthatthissubsectionshallnotapplytoworkdonebyyoungpersonsin
technicalschoolsorsimilarinstitutionsiftheworkisapprovedandsupervisedbythe
MinistryofEducation(orcorrespondingdepartmentofgovernment)ofaState.
 (3)Ayoungpersonundertheageoffourteenyearsmaybeemployedonly
(a)onadailywage;
(b)onadaytodaybasis;and

(c) solongashereturnseachnighttotheplaceofresidenceofhisparentsor
guardianorapersonapprovedbyhisparentsorguardian:
Providedthat,saveasmaybeotherwiseprovidedbyanyregulationsmadeunder
section65ofthisAct,thissubsectionshallnotapplytoayoungpersonemployedindo
mesticservice.
(4)Noyoungpersonundertheageofsixteenyearsshallbeemployedincircum
stancesinwhichitisnotreasonablypossibleforhimtoreturneachdaytotheplaceof
residenceofhisparentorguardianexcept
(a)withtheapprovalofanauthorisedlabourofficer;and
(b) onawrittencontract(which,notwithstandinganylawtothecontrary,shallnot
bevoidableonthegroundofincapacitytocontractduetoinfancy)conforming
withPartIofthisAct:
Providedthat,saveasmaybeotherwiseprovidedbyanyregulationsmadeunder
section65ofthisAct,thissubsectionshallnotapplytoayoungpersonemployedindo
mesticservice.
(5)Noyoungpersonundertheageofsixteenyearsshallbeemployed
(a)toworkunderground;or
(b)onmachinework;or
(c)onapublicholiday.

(6)Noyoungpersonshallbeemployedinanyemploymentwhichisinjurioustohis
health,dangerousorimmoral;and,whereanemployerisnotifiedinwritingbytheMin
ister(eithergenerallyorinanyparticularcase)thatthekindofworkuponwhichayoung
personisemployedisinjurioustotheyoungperson'shealth,dangerous,immoraloroth
erwiseunsuitable,theemployershalldiscontinuetheemploymentwithoutprejudiceto
therightoftheyoungpersontobepaidsuchwagesashemayhaveearneduptothedate
ofdiscontinuance.
(7)Nopersonshallcontinuetoemployanyyoungpersonundertheageofsixteen
yearsafterreceivingnoticeeitherorallyorinwritingfromtheparentorguardianofthe
youngpersonthattheyoungpersonisemployedagainstthewishesoftheparentor
guardian:
Providedthatthissubsectionshallnotapplytoayoungpersonemployedundera
writtencontractenteredintowiththeapprovalofanauthorisedlabourofficer.
(8)Noyoungpersonundertheageofsixteenyearsshallberequiredtoworkfora
longerperiodthanfourconsecutivehoursorpermittedtoworkformorethaneight
workinghoursinoneday:
 Providedthat,saveasmaybeotherwiseprovidedbyanyregulationsmadeunder
section65ofthisAct,thissubsectionshallnotapplytoayoungpersonemployedindo
mesticservice.

60.Nightwork
(1)Subjecttothissection,noyoungpersonshallbeemployedduringthenight.

(2)Youngpersonsovertheageofsixteenyearsmaybeemployedduringthenightin
thefollowingindustrialundertakingsoractivitieswhichbyreasonofthenatureofthe
processarerequiredtobecarriedoncontinuouslydayandnight,thatistosay
(a) inthemanufactureofironandsteel,inprocessesinwhichreverberatoryor
regeneratoryfurnacesareusedandinthegalvanisingofsheetmetalorwire
(exceptthepicklingprocess);
(b)glassworks;
(c)manufactureofpaper;
(d)manufactureofrawsugar;and
(e)goldminingreductionwork.
(3)Youngpersonsovertheageofsixteenmaybeemployedduringthenightincases
ofemergencywhich
(a)couldnothavebeencontrolledorforeseen;
(b)arenotofaperiodicalcharacter;and
(c)interferewiththenormalworkingofanindustrialundertaking.

(4)Inthissection,"night"meansaperiodofatleasttwelveconsecutivehours,in
cluding
(a) inthecaseofyoungpersonsundertheageofsixteenyears,theintervalbe
tweenteno'clockintheeveningandsixo'clockinthemorning;and
(b) inthecaseofyoungpersonsovertheageofsixteenyearsbutundertheageof
eighteenyears,aprescribedintervalofatleastsevenconsecutivehoursfalling
betweenteno'clockintheeveningandseveno'clockinthemorning.
(5)Forthepurposesofsubsection(4)(b)ofthissection,theMinistermayprescribe
differentintervalsfordifferentareas,industries,undertakingsorbranchesofindustriesor
undertakings,butshallconsulttheemployers'andworkers'associationsororganisations
concernedbeforeprescribinganintervalbeginningaftereleveno'clockintheevening.
61.Shipping
(1)Noyoungpersonundertheageoffifteenyearsshallbeemployedinanyvessel,
exceptwhere
(a) thevesselisaschoolortrainingvesselandtheworkonwhichtheyoungper
sonisemployedis
(i)workofakindapprovedbytheMinister;and
(ii)supervisedbyapublicofficerorbyapublicdepartment;or
(b) onlymembersoftheyoungperson'sfamilyareemployed.
 (2)Noyoungpersonshallbeemployedinavesselasatrimmerorstoker:

Providedthat,whereatrimmerorstokerisrequiredinaplaceinwhichonlyyoung
personsareavailable,youngpersonsofandovertheageofsixteenyearsmaybeem
ployedinthatcapacity,sohoweverthattwosuchyoungpersonsshallbeengagedand
employedintheplaceofeachtrimmerorstokerrequired.

(3)Noyoungpersonshallbeemployedinanyvesselotherthanavesselinwhich
onlypersonsofhisfamilyareemployedunlessheisinpossessionofacertificatesigned
byaregisteredmedicalpractitionertotheeffectthatheisfitfortheemploymentorwork;
and,wheresuchacertificateisissued,then
(a) subjecttoparagraph(b)ofthissubsection,thecertificateshallbevalidforone
yearfromthedateofissue,or,ifitwouldotherwiseexpireinthecourseofa
voyage,untiltheendofthevoyageinquestion;and
(b) thecertificatemayatanytimeberevokedbyaqualifiedmedicalpractitionerif
heissatisfiedthattheyoungpersonisnolongerfitfortheemploymentor
work.
(4)Thereshallbeincludedineveryagreementwiththecrewofavesselalistof
youngpersonswhoaremembersofthecrew,togetherwithparticularsofthedatesof
theirbirths;and,inthecaseofavesselinwhichthereisnosuchagreement,themaster
shallkeeparegister(whichshallatalltimesbeopentoinspectionbyanauthorisedla
bourofficerorcustomsofficer)ofsuchyoungpersonsasmaybeemployedinthevessel
withparticularsofthedatesoftheirbirthsandthedatesonwhichtheybecameorceased
tobemembersofthecrew.
(5)Inthissection

"customsofficer"meansanypersonemployedintheNigeriaCustomsService,orfor
thetimebeingperformingdutiesinrelationtocustomsandexcise;

"vessel"includestloatingcraftofeverydescriptionexceptshipsofwar.

62.Registerofyoungpersonsinindustrialundertakings
Everyemployerofyoungpersonsinanindustrialundertakingshallkeeparegisterof
allyoungpersonsinhisemploymentwithparticularsoftheirages,thedateofemploy
mentandtheconditionsandnatureoftheiremploymentandsuchotherparticularsas
maybeprescribed,andshallproducetheregisterforinspectionwhenrequiredbyan
authorisedlabourofficer.

63.Regulations
TheMinistermaymakeregulations

(a) exemptinganyoccupationwhichformspartofanindustrialundertakingfrom
alloranyoftheprovisionsofsections59to62ofthisActoranyregulations
madeunderthissection;
(b)providingfortheregistrationandidentificationofyoungpersons;
 (c) prescribingtherecordstobekeptandthereturnstobemadebyemployersof
youngpersons;
(d)furtherrestrictingtheemploymentofyoungpersonsinspecifiedoccupations;

(e) prescribingadditionalconditionsuponwhichyoungpersonsmaybeengaged
oremployed;and
(f) makingfurtherprovisionforthecareofyoungpersonsbyemployers.

64.Offences
(1)Anypersonwhoemploysayoungpersonincontraventionofsections59to62of
thisActoranyregulationsmadeundersection63ofthisAct,theproprietor,ownerand
managerofanyundertakinginwhichayoungpersonissoemployedandanyparentor
guardianofayoungpersonwhopermitstheyoungpersontobesoemployedshallbe
guiltyofanoffenceandonconvictionshallbeliabletoafinenotexceedingN100.
(2)If,inthecaseofachargeforanoffenceundersubsection(1)ofthissectionitis
allegedbythepersonconductingtheprosecutionthatthepersoninrespectofwhomthe
offencewascommittedwasundertheageoftwelve,fourteen,fifteen,sixteenoreighteen
yearsatthedateofcommissionoftheallegedoffence,themagistrateorotherpersonpre
sidingatthehearingshall,aftersuchenquiryashemaythinknecessaryandafterhearing
anyevidencethatmaybetenderedbyanypartytotheproceedings,determinetheageof
theyoungperson;andanysuchdeterminationshallbefinal.
Domesticservice

65.Regulations
TheMinistermaymakeregulationsprovidingfor
(a)theengagement,repatriationorsupervisionofdomesticservants;
(b)theemploymentofwomenandyoungpersonsasdomesticservants;
(c)thehousingaccommodationandsanitaryarrangementsofdomesticservants;
and
(d)theconditionsofdomesticservicegenerally.
Labourhealthareas

66.Labourhealthareas
WheretheMinisterissatisfiedthatanindustrialoragriculturalundertakingissituated
inanareawhich,havingregardtotheexitingmedicalandhealthconditionsandfacilities,
watersuppliesandcommunications,isremoteandisolated,hemaybyorderdeclarethe
areaalabourhealtharea;and,duringtheperiodofemploymentofanyworkerinalabour
healtharea,theemployershallprovidesuchfacilitiesandmakesucharrangementsas
maybespecifiedbyregulationsmadeundersection67ofthisAct,andshallotherwise
complywiththerequirementsofanysuchregulations.
67.Regulations
TheMinister,inrespectoflabourhealthareasoranyparticularlabourhealtharea,
maymakeregulationsfor
 (a)theplanningandlayoutoftownsandvillages;
(b)theconstructionofstreets,lanes,buildings,markets,openplaces,drains,
latrines,incinerators,wellsandtanks;
(c) theprovisionofhousingaccommodationforworkers,theprovisionofsanitary
arrangementsfor,andtheinspectionof,thataccommodation,andthelimita
tionofthenumberofpersonsorclassofpersonswhomayresideinanyhouse;

(d) thesupplyofwater,foodandfuel;
(e) theexaminationofworkersbymedicalofficers,thatistosay,registeredmedi
calpractitionersintheserviceofapublicauthorityorotherregisteredmedical
practitionersauthorisedasmedicalofficersbytheMinisterforthepurposesof
thisparagraph;
(f) themeasurestobetakentopreventtheintroductionorspreadingofinfectious
andcontagiousdiseases;
(g) thecompulsoryemploymentofqualifiedmedicalpractitionersbyemployers;
(h) thecompulsoryerectionandproperstaffing,controlandequippingofhospitals
byemployersand,indefaultthereof,therecoveryfromemployersofthecost
ofmedicalattendanceprovidedbytheFederalGovernmentandoftheerection
andmaintenanceofanyhospitalserectedbythatgovernment;
(i) requiringemployerstomakearrangementswithhospitalauthoritiesforthe
medicalandsurgicaltreatmentoftheirworkers(including,wherenecessary,
accommodationandfoodinhospital)andtoprovideanynecessarytransport
forsickorinjuredworkers;
(j) prescribing
(i) themattersforwhichthearrangementsmentionedinthepreceding
paragraphshallprovide;
(ii)theofficerbywhomthosearrangementsaretobeapproved;and
(iii)thechargeswhichmaybemadebythehospitalauthorityandthepe
riod(notexceedingsixweeks)forwhichtheemployershallbeliable
forthosecharges;
(k) thekeepingofmedicalattendanceregisters;
(I) thefurnishingofreturnsof
(i) thenumbersofworkersemployedeitheraboveorbelowgroundand
thenatureoftheiremployment;
(ii)casualtiesbywayofinjury,diseaseordeath;and
(iii) suchothermattersastheMinistermayconsidernecessarytoensure
thatthehealthandwelfareofworkersareproperlyattendedto;
(m) prescribingfeestobepaidforanymatterorthingtobedoneundertheregulations;
(n) prescribing
(i) penaltiesforoffencesundertheregulationsnotexceedingafineof
N1,500orimprisonmentforatermoftwoyears,orboth;and
 (ii) additionalpenaltiesforcontinuingoffencesnotexceedingintheaggre
gateafineofN1,500orimprisonmentforatermoftwoyears,orboth;
and
(0) whereanystructureisbuilt,renewed,reconstructedoralteredincontravention
oftheregulations
(i) providingfortheserviceofnoticeofthecontraventionontheoffend
ingperson;
(ii)enablingaspecifiedofficerorauthority,indefaultofremedialaction
beingtakeninconsequenceofthenotice,toentertherelevantpremises
andtakesuchremedialactionasheconsidersnecessary;and
(iii)providingfortherecoveryofanyexpensesincurredbytheofficeror
authorityindoingso.
Registration,employmentexchanges,ete.
68.Registrationofemployers
(1)TheMinistermaymakeregulationsfortheregistrationofemployers.
(2)Regulationsmadeunderthissectionmay

(a)providefortheregistrationofemployers(orspecificclassesofemployers)
generallyorinspecificareastobeprescribedintheregulations;
(b) prescribethemannerof,andconditionsfor,registrationandthepersonby
whomandthemannerinwhichtheregisteristobemaintained;
(c) prescribethecircumstancesinwhichemployersmayberefusedregistrationor
struckofftheregister;
(d) withoutprejudicetothegeneralityofparagraph(c)ofthissubsection,provide
foremployerstoberefusedregistrationortobestruckofftheregister,asthe
casemaybe,iftheyfailtocomplywithconditionsspecifiedintheregulations;
(e)prohibittheemploymentofcitizensasworkersbyunregisteredemployers;
(f) imposepenaltiesforcontraventionsoftheregulationsnotexceedingafineof
N1,500orimprisonmentforatermoftwoyears,orboth;and
(g) containsuchincidentalorrelatedprovisionsastheMinisterthinksnecessary
orexpedient.
69.Labourschemes
(1)WheretheMinisterhasagreedwiththerepresentativesoftheemployers'and
workers'organisationswithinanindustryorareaastothedesirabilityofestablishinga
schemeforlabourwithinthatindustryorarea,hemaymakeanorder,ifhethinksfit,in
respectoftheindustryorareainquestion.
(2)Whereanorderismadeundersubsection(1)ofthissectioninrespectofanin
dustryorarea
(a) itshallbethedutyofeveryemployerwhoisengagedintheindustryorordi
narilyhasaplaceofbusinessinthearea,asthecasemaybe,toapplyforreg
 istrationinaccordancewithanyregulationsmadeundersubsection(5)ofthis
section;
(b) everyindustrialworkerundertheageof55yearswhoisemployedinthein
dustryor,asthecasemaybe,isordinarilyresidentinthearea,shallbeliable
tocompulsoryregistrationunderthoseregulationsifanorderismadeinre
spectofhimunderparagraph(c)ofthissubsection;
(c) theMinistermaybyorderrequireanyclassorclassesofindustrialworkers
towhomparagraph(b)ofthissubsectionappliestopresentthemselvesfor
registrationinsuchmanner,atsuchplaceandwithinsuchtimesasmaybe
specifiedintheorder;and
(d) theMinistermaybyorderforbidsuchemployersasarementionedinpara
graph(a)ofthissubsection(oranyspecifiedclassthereof)
(i)tocarryonbusinessintheindustryorarea,asthecasemaybe,unlesstheyare
registeredaccordingly;or
(ii)toemployindustrialworkers(oranyspecifiedclassthereof)inthein
dustryorarea,asthecasemaybe,unlesstheworkersareregisteredac
cordingly.
(3)Anauthorisedlabourofficer,whereheissatisfiedthatanemployerwhohasnot
appliedforregistrationinpursuanceofsubsection(2)(a)ofthissectionisapersonwho
oughttohavedoneso,maybynoticeinwritingcallupontheemployertoapplyaccord
ingly.
(4)Forthepurposesofsubsection(2)(b)ofthissectionanindustrialworker

(a) shallbepresumedtobeundertheageof55yearsunlesshesatisfiesan
authorisedlabourofficertothecontrary;and
(b) ifheispresentinanareatowhichanordermadeundersubsection(1)ofthis
sectionapplies,shallbepresumedtobeordinarilyresidentinthatareaunless
hesatisfiesanauthorisedlabourofficerthatheisresidingthereforsometem
porarypurposeonly.
(5)TheMinistermaymakeregulationsforthepurposesofthissection
(a)establishingofficesfortheregistrationofemployersandindustrialworkers;
(b) prescribingformsofapplicationforregistrationandcertificatesofregistration,
andsuchotherformsasmaybeneededforthepurposesoftheregulations;
(c) providingfortheissueofcertificatesofregistrationandtheirreplacementif
lostordestroyed;
(d) prescribingtheparticularstobefurnishedonapplicationforregistrationand
onregistration;
(e) prescribingthedutiesofregisteredpersonsandothersinrespectofcertificates
ofregistration;and
(f; prescribingfeesandprovidinggenerallyforregistrationunderthissection.

70.Employmentexchange
TheMinistermaymakeregulations
 (a) authorisingtheestablishmentofregistrationoffices,tobeknownasemploy
mentexchanges,atwhichindustrialworkersmayattendforregistrationand
makeapplicationforemploymentandtowhichemployersmaynotifyvacancies;
(b) providingfortheissueofcertificatesofregistrationandidentitytoregistered
industrialworkersandthereplacement,onpaymentofsuchfeeasmaybepre
scribed,ofanysuchcertificateswhenlostordestroyed;
(c) prescribingtheparticularstobefurnishedonregistration;

(d) providingforthetakingofphotographsandfingerprintsofregisteredindustrial
workersasameansofidentification;
(e) regulatingorrestrictingthenumbersofregisteredindustrialworkersem
ployed,eithergenerallyorinspecifiedbusinessesorundertakings;
(f) prescribingthedutiesofregisteredpersonsandothersinrespectofcertificates
ofregistrationandidentity;
(g) requiringemployersinsuchoccupationsasmaybespecifiedtofurnishreturns
ofsuchmattersrelatingtotheemploymentofworkersasmaybespecified;
and
(h) prescribingfeestobechargedundertheregulations.

71.Feechargingemploymentagencies
(1)Nopersonshallestablishoroperateafeechargingemploymentagencysavewith
thewrittenconsentoftheMinister.
(2)TheMinistermaymakeregulationsprovidingforthesupervisionandcontrolof
feechargingemploymentagenciesandprescribingthescaleoffeeswhichtheymay
charge.
(3)Inthissection,"feechargingemploymentagency"means
(a) anagencyconductedbyanypersonwhoactsasanintermediaryforthepur
poseofprocuringemploymentforaworkerorsupplyingaworkertoanem
ployerwithaviewtoderivingeitherdirectlyorindirectlyanypecuniaryor
othermaterialadvantagefromeitheremployerorworker;or
(b) anagencyforconductingtheplacingservicesofanycompany,institution,
agencyorotherorganisationwhich,althoughtheagencyisnotconductedwith
aviewtoobtaininganypecuniaryorothermaterialadvantage,leviesfromei
theremployerorworkerforthoseservicesanentrancefee,aperiodicalcontri
butionoranyothercharge,
butexcludesanyorganisationfortheproductionofnewspapers(orotherpublications)
whicharenotproducedwhollyormainlyforthepurposeofactingasintermediariesbe
tweenemployersandworkers.
72.Offences
(1)Anypersonwhowithintenttodeceive
(a) givesanyfalseparticularsforthepurposeofsection69(1)to(4)ofthisActor
anyregulationsmadeundersection69(5)or70ofthisAct;or
 (b) forgesaregistrationcertificateofthekindprovidedforinanysuchregula
tions;or
(c)usesaforgedcertificateofthatkind;or
(d)lendstoorallowstobeusedbyanotherpersonacertificateofthatkind;or
(e) makesorhasinhispossessionanydocumentsocloselyresemblingacertifi
cateofthatkindastobecalculatedtodeceive;or
(f) usesordisplaysacertificateofthatkindwhichhasnotbeenissuedtohim,shallbe
guiltyofanoffenceandonconvictionshallbeliabletoafinenotexceeding
N1,000ortoimprisonmentforatermnotexceedingoneyear,ortoboth.

(2)Anyemployerorindustrialworkerwhocontravenessection69(2)ofthisAct,
anyemployerwhofailstocomplywithanoticeundersection69(3)ofthisActandany
personwhocontravenessection71(1)ofthisActshallbeguiltyofanoffenceandon
convictionshallbeliabletoafinenotexceedingN500ortoimprisonmentforatermnot
exceedingsixmonths,ortoboth:
Providedthat,inanyproceedingsunderthissectionforsuchacontraventionorfor
afailuretocomplywithsuchanotice,itshallbeadefencefortheaccusedtoprovethat
thecontraventionorfailurewasduetocircumstancesbeyondhiscontrol.
(3)Inanyproceedingsunderthissectioninrelationtoanindustryorarea,itshallbe
presumed,untilthecontraryisproved,thattheaccused
(a) ifheisanemployer,isengagedintheindustryorordinarilyhasaplaceof
businessinthearea,asthecasemaybe;and
(b) ifheisanindustrialworker,isundertheageoffiftyfiveyearsandisengaged
intheindustryorordinarilyresidentinthearea,asthecasemaybe.
Forcedlabour

73.Prohibitionofforcedlabour
(1)Anypersonwhorequiresanyotherperson,orpermitsanyotherpersontobere
quired,toperformforcedlabourcontrarytosection34(1)(c)oftheConstitutionofthe
FederalRepublicofNigeria1999,shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandonconvictionshallbe
liabletoafinenotexceedingN1,000ortoimprisonmentforatermnotexceedingtwo
years,ortoboth.
[Cap.C23.]
(2)Anypersonwho,beingapublicofficer,putsanyconstraintuponthepopulation
underhischargeoruponanymembersthereoftoworkforanyprivateindividual,asso
ciationorcompanyshallbeguiltyofanoffenceandonconvictionshallbeliabletoafine
notexceedingN200ortoimprisonmentforatermnotexceedingsixmonths,ortoboth.
74.Labourrequiredinemergenciesandforcommunalobligations
(1)TheMinistermaymakeregulationsregulatingtherequisitionoflabourofthe
kinddefinedinsection34(2)(c)and(d)and(e)(i)oftheConstitutionoftheFederal
RepublicofNigeria1999(thatistosay,labourrequiredintheeventofanyemergencyor
calamitythreateningthelifeorwellbeingofthecommunity,andlabourthatformspartof
normalcommunalorothercivilobligations).
 [Cap.C23.]
(2)Regulationsmadeundersubsection(1)ofthissection

(a) mayspecifyforanoffenceundertheregulations(includingafailureorrefusal,
withoutreasonablecause,torenderlabourlawfullyrequiredthereunder)atine
notexceedingN200orimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingsixmonths,or
both,andasadailypenaltyafinenotexceedingN10orimprisonmentfora
termnotexceedingsevendays,orboth;and

(b)mayaddto,amendorrepealsubsections(3)to(6)ofthissection.
(3)Subjecttothissection,theprescribedauthoritymayrequiretheinhabitantsofany
townorvillagesubjecttoitsjurisdictiontoprovidelabourforanyofthefollowingpur
poses
(a)theconstructionandmaintenanceofbuildingsusedforcommunalpurposes,
includingmarketsbutexcludingjujuhousesandplacesofworship;
(b)sanitarymeasures;
(c)theconstructionandmaintenanceoflocalroadsandpaths;
(d)theconstructionandmaintenanceoftownorvillagefences;
(e)theconstructionandmaintenanceofcommunalwells;and
(f)othercommunalservicesofasimilarkindinthedirectinterestoftheinhabi
tantsofthetownorvillage.
(4)Nolabourshallberequiredundersubsection(3)ofthissectionunless

(a)theinhabitantsofthetownorvillageortheirdirectrepresentativeshavebeen
previouslyconsultedbytheprescribedauthoritywithregardtotheneedforthe
proposedservice;and
(b)amajorityoftheinhabitantsorrepresentatives,asthecasemaybe,hasagreed
totherequiringofthelabour.
(5)Insubsections(3)and(4)ofthissection"townorvillage"excludesatownship
butincludesanyarea(otherthanatownship)declaredbytheMinisterbyordertobea
townorvillageforthepurposesofthissection.
(6)Anypersonwhodoesnotwishtoexecutehisshareofanylabourrequiredunder
subsection(3)ofthissectionmaybeexcusedfromdoingsoonpaymenttotheprescribed
authorityofsuchsumperday,whilethelabourisbeingdone,asrepresentsthecurrent
dailywageforunskilledlabour.
(7)Nothinginthissectionshallbetakentoauthorisetheexactionfromanypersonof
anyworkorserviceforwhichthatpersondoesnotofferhimselfvoluntarilywhereapart
fromthissectiontheexactionofthatworkorservicewouldbeillegal.
PARTIV

Supplemental
Recordsandreturns

75.Records
 (1)Itshallbethedutyofeveryemployertokeepsuchrecordsofwagesandcondi
tionsofemploymentasarenecessarytoshowthatthisActisbeingcompliedwith.
(2)Withoutprejudicetothegeneralityofsubsection(1)ofthissection,everyem
ployershallkeepinrespectofeachofhisworkerstowhomastatementhasbeengiven
undersection7ofthisAct,arecordshowing
(a) thenameandaddressoftheworker;
(b) histown(orotherplace)oforigin;
(c)thedateofhisbirth;
(d)thenameandaddressofhisnextofkin;
(e)thedateandplaceofhisengagement;
(f)hisNigerianSocialInsuranceTrustFundnumber;and
(g)thedateofcessationofemployment.

(3)Recordskeptpursuanttosubsections(1)and(2)ofthissectionshallberetained
forthreeyearsafterthetimetowhichtheyrefer.
(4)Anyemployerwho

(a) knowinglyandwithintenttoavoidcompliancewithanyprovisionofthisAct,
omitstokeepanyoranysufficientrecordofanyparticularwagesorcondi
tionsofemployment;or
(b)failstocomplywithsubsection(2)or(3)ofthissection,

shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandonconvictionshallbeliabletoafinenotexceeding
N200.

76.Returns
(1)TheMinistermayrequirereturnsandstatistics,whetherperiodicalorotherwise,
tobefurnishedbyemployersastothenumberofpersonsemployedbytheminanypar
ticularclassofemploymentandastotheratesofremunerationandotherconditionsin
thatoranyotherclassofemployment.
(2)Anyemployerwhofailstofurnishanyreturnsorstatisticswhichheisrequiredto
furnishundersubsection(1)ofthissectionshallbeguiltyofanoffenceandonconviction
shallbeliabletoafinenotexceedingN200.
Administration

77.Authorisedlabourofficers
(1)TheMinistermaybywritingunderhishandauthorise

(a) anypublicofficerservinginaministryordepartmentforwhichtheMinisteris
responsible;and
(b) withtheconsentoftheStateAuthority,anyofficerinthepublicserviceofa
State,
tobeanauthorisedlabourofficerforthepurposesofthisAct.
(2)Anauthorisationundersubsection(1)ofthissectionmay
(a)asregardstheofficerauthorised,bemadebynameorbyoffice;
 (b)relatetothewholeoftheFederationoranyspecifiedpartorpartsthereof;and
(c)relatetothewholeofthisActoranyspecifiedprovisionorprovisionsthereof.
(3)Noauthorisedlabourofficer,exceptinsofarasisnecessaryforthepurposesof
acomplaintorprosecutionunderthisAct,shallpublishordisclosetoanypersonthedetailsofany
manufacturing,commercialorworkingprocesswhichmaycometohis
knowledgeinthecourseofhisduties.
(4)Anauthorisedlabourofficershalltreatasabsolutelyconfidentialthesourceof
anycomplaintallegingacontraventionofthisAct,andwherehevisitsanemployer's
premisesinconsequenceofsuchacomplaint,shallgivenoindicationtotheemployeror
theemployer'srepresentativethatthevisitwasmadeinconsequenceofthecomplaint.
78.Powersofauthorisedlabourofficers
(1)InadditiontoanyotherpowersconferredbythisAct,anauthorisedlabourofficer
mayforthepurposeoffacilitatingorensuringtheproperoperationofthisAct
(a) enter,inspectandexaminebydayornightanylabourencampment,farm,fac
toryorotherlandorworkplacewhatsoever(andeverypartthereot)ifhehas
reasonablecausetobelievethatanyworkerisemployedthereinorthereon;
(b) enter,inspectandexaminebydayanypremisesprovidedbyanemployerin
whichhehasreasonablecausetobelievethatworkersareliving;
(c) enter,inspectandexamineanyhospitalbuilding,sanitaryconvenience,mess
roomorwatersupplyprovidedfororusedbyworkers;
(d) takewithhimapoliceofficerifhehasreasonablecausetoapprehendanyse
riousobstructionintheexecutionofhisfunctions;
(e) requiretheproductionofanyregisters,certificates,noticesorotherdocuments
keptinpursuanceofthisActandinspect,examineandcopyanyofthem;

(f) makesuchexaminationandenquiryasmaybenecessarytoascertainwhether
theprovisionsofthisActarebeingcompliedwith,sofarasrespectsanyla
bourencampment,farm,factoryorotherlandorworkplacewhatsoeverand
anypersonemployedthereinorthereon;
(g) inspectandexamineallfoodprovidedfortheuseofworkersandtakesamples
thereof,sohoweverthat
(i)anysampletakeninpursuanceofthisparagraphshallbetakenindu
plicateinthepresenceoftheemployeroftheworkers(or,iftheem
ployerisnotreadilyavailable,inthepresenceofaforemanorotherre
sponsibleperson)andshallbelabelledandsealedinthepresenceof
theemployer,foremanorotherresponsibleperson;and
(ii)onesamplesolabelledandsealedshallbeleftwiththeemployer,
foremanorotherresponsibleperson;
(h) takeorremoveforthepurposeofanalysissamplesofmaterialsandsubstances
usedorhandledbyworkersfrompremisesnotcoveredbytheFactoriesAct,
subjecttotheemployerorhisrepresentativebeingnotifiedandgivenanop
portunitytobepresentwhenthesamplesaretaken;
 [Cap.F1.]
(i)interrogate,eitheraloneorinthepresenceofanotherpersonashethinksfit,
withrespecttomatterstowhichthisActrelates,anypersonwhomhefindsin
oronanylabourencampment,farm,factoryorotherworkplacewhatsoeveror
whomhehasreasonablecausetobelievetohavebeenwithinthepreceding
threemonthsemployedinoronanylabourencampment,farm,factoryorotherlandor
workplacewhatsoever,sohoweverthatnopersonshallbeforcedtoansweranyquestiontendingto
incriminatehimself;
(j)withtheconsentinwritingoftheMinisterandsubjecttoanypowersconferred
bytheConstitutionoftheFederalRepublicofNigeria1999ontheAttorney
GeneralorDirectorofPublicProsecutionsoftheFederationoraState,prose
cute,conductordefendbeforeamagistrate'scourt,adistrictcourtoracourt
givenjurisdictionundersection80(2)ofthisActinhisownname(or,where
heisactingundersection83(5)ofthisAct,inthenameofthecomplainant)
anycomplaintorotherproceedingarisingunderthisActorotherwiseinthe
exerciseofhisfunctionsasanauthorisedlabourofficer;
[Cap.C23.]
(k)directanypersonwhohasinhisopinioncontravenedanyprovisionofthis
Act,toremedythecontraventionwithinaspecifiedandreasonableperiod;and
(l)directthepostingofanoticeinanypremisesifheissatisfiedthatitisnecessaryorexpedient
fortheproperimplementationofthisAct.
(2)Anypersondirectedtotakeremedialactionundersubsection(1)(k)ofthissec
tionmay,ifheisdissatisfiedwiththedirection,withinfourteendaysorwithinanyperiod
statedinthedirection,whicheveristheless,appealinwritingtotheMinister,whomay
referthecaseforadvicetoanypersonorpersonsconsideredbyhimtobesuitableand
whosedecisionshallbefinal.
(3)Anypersonwho
(a) obstructsanauthorisedlabourofficerintheexerciseofhisfunctionsunderthis
sectionoranyotherprovisionofthisAct;or
(b) failstocomplywithadirectionundersubsection(1)(k)ofthissection(no
appealhavingbeenmadeundersubsection(2)ofthissectionoranysuchap
pealhavingbeendisposedof);or
(c) failstocomplywithadirectionundersubsection(1)(l)ofthissection,

shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandonconvictionshallbeliabletoafinenotexceeding
N1,000ortoimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingtwoyears,ortoboth.
79.Delegationoffunctions
(1)Subjecttothissection,theMinistermaydelegateanyofhisfunctionsunderthis
Act
(a) toapublicofficerservinginaministryordepartmentforwhichtheMinisteris
responsible;or
 (b) asregardsaState,totheCommissionerinthegovernmentoftheStaterespon
sibleforlabourmattersor,withtheconsentoftheStateAuthority,toanoffi
cerinthepublicserviceoftheState.
(2)Subsection(1)ofthissectiondoesnotapplytothepowerofdelegationconferred
bythatsubsectionortoanypowertomakeregulationsororders.
(3)Adelegationundersubsection(1)ofthissectionmaybemadesubjecttosuch
conditionsandlimitations,ifany,astheMinisterthinksfit.

(4)Thedelegationofafunctionundersubsection(1)ofthissectionshallnotprevent
theMinisterfromcontinuingtoexercisethefunctionhimselfifheseesfit.
Settlementofdisputes
80.Jurisdiction
(1)Amagistrate'scourt(or,inaStatewhereamagistrate'scourthasnociviljuris
diction,adistrictcourt)shallhavejurisdictiontohearcomplaintsundersection81ofthis
Act.
(2)Withoutprejudicetothejurisdictiontohearcomplaintsconferredbysubsec
tion(1)ofthissection,theChiefJudgeofaState,withtheconcurrenceoftheState
Authority,maybyorderconferjurisdictiontohearsuchcomplaintsonareacourtsor
customarycourtsintheStateorpartoftheState.
81.Labourcomplaints
(1)Where
(a)anemployerorworkerneglectsorrefusestofulfilacontract;or
(b) anyquestion,differenceordisputearisesastotherightsorliabilitiesofaparty
toacontractortouchinganymisconduct,neglect,illtreatmentorinjurytothe
personorpropertyofapartytoacontract,
anypartytothecontractfeelinghimselfaggrievedmaymakecomplainttoacourthaving
jurisdiction,whichmaythereuponissueasummonstothepartycomplainedagainst(the
aggrievedparty,thecourt,thepartycomplainedagainstandthecomplaintbeinghereafter
inthissectionandinsections82to85ofthisActreferredtoas"thecomplainant","the
court","therespondent"and"thecomplaint"respectively).
(2)Ifthecomplainantclaimsanamountbeyondtheciviljurisdictionofthecourt,the
courtshallforwardthecomplainttothenearestcourthavingjurisdiction.
(3)Thecourtmayexercisejurisdictioninthecomplaintiftherespondentisinits
areaofjurisdictionatthetimethecomplaintismade,whetherornotthegroundsofthe
complaintarosewithinthatarea.
 (4)Ifatanytimeafterthelayingofthecomplaintitappearstothecourtbyinforma
tiononoaththattherespondentisabouttoabscond,thecourtmaycausehimtobear
restedanddetainedincustodyunlesshefindssecuritytoappearandanswerthecom
plaintandtoabidebythedecisionofthecourtthereon.
(5)Wherethecourtisoftheopinionthatthecomplaintcouldmoreproperlyorcon
venientlybedealtwithbycivilproceedings,itmay,atanytimebeforegivingitsfinal
decisiononthecomplaint,orderthattheremedy,ifany,forthematterscomplainedof
shallbebyanactionbroughtinaccordancewiththelawrelatingtocivilproceedingsand
notbyproceedingsunderthissection.
(6)Thissectionshallnotapplytoatradedispute,thatistosay,anydisputeordiffer
encebetweenemployersandworkers(orbetweenworkersandotherworkers)connected
with

(a) theemploymentornonemployment;or
(b) thetermsoftheemployment;or
(c)theconditionsoflabour,
ofanyperson.

82.Powersofthecourt
(1)Indealingwiththecomplaint,thecourt

(a) mayadjustandsetoffoneagainsttheotherallsuchclaimsonthepartofthe
complainantandtherespondentarisingoutoforincidentaltotherelationship
betweenthemasthecourtmayfindtobesubsisting,whethertheclaimsare
liquidatedorunliquidatedorforwages,damagesorotherwise,andmaydirect
thepaymentofsuchsumasitfindsduebyonepartytotheother;
(b) maydirectfulfilmentoftherelevantcontractand,inacasewheredamages
mightbeawardedforanybreachofcontract,mayinplaceofthewholeorpart
ofthedamageswhichwouldotherwisehavebeenawardeddirecttheparty
committingthebreachtogivesecuritytothesatisfactionofthecourtforthe
dueperformanceofsomuchofthecontractasremainsunperformed;
(c) ifthepartyreceivingadirectionunderparagraph(b)ofthissubsectionfailsto
findsecurityandthecourtissatisfiedthatthefailureisnotduetotheinability
ofthatpartytofindit,maycommithimtoprison(foraperiodnotexceeding
threemonths)untilhefindsit;
(d) mayrescindthecontractuponsuchtermsastoapportionmentofwagesor
othersumsduethereunder,andastothepaymentofwagesordamagesor
othersumsdue,asitthinksjust;and
(e) wherethecourthascriminaljurisdictionanditappearstothecourtthatan
employerorworkerhasbeenguiltyofanoffenceunderthisAct,mayinplace
oforinadditiontoexercisinganyofthepowersconferredbyparagraphs(a)to
(d)ofthissubsectionpassontheoffenderanysentencewhichisauthorisedby
thisActandiswithinitscriminaljurisdiction.
(2)Withoutprejudicetoanyothermethodofgivingsecuritywhichthecourtmay
considerappropriateinanyparticularcase,apersonmaygivesecurityforthepurposesof
subsection(1)(b)ofthissectionbymakinginorunderthedirectionofthecourtawritten
ororalacknowledgement(tobeknownasa"recognisance")oftheundertakingorcondi
tionbywhichandthesuminwhichheisbound;andanysuchrecognisanceshallbe
madeasnearlyaspossibleinthesamewayasrecognisancesofbailandshallbeliableto
beforfeitedandenforcedinthesamewayasrecognisancesofbail.

83.Procedure
(1)Subjecttothissectionandtheotherprovisionsofsections81,82,84and85of
thisAct,thelawregulatingtheprocedureincriminalcases(includingthelawrespecting
appeals,revisionsandthelevyingofmoneysorderedtobepaid)shallapplytothecom
plaintandanyordersforthepaymentofmoneymadeinconsequenceofthecomplaint,
sohoweverthat
(a) thecourtmayorderthatthelawregulatingcivilproceedingsshallapplytothe
complaintandanysuchordersifinanycaseitconsidersthattheinterestsof
justicesorequire;and

(b) thelawregulatingcivilproceedingsshallsoapplyifthecourthasnocriminal
jurisdiction.
(2)Whereinconsequenceofthecomplaintthecourtmakesanorderforthepayment
ofanysumbyapublicauthority,noexecutionshallbeissued,butthecourtshallforward
acopyoftheorder
(a)ifthepublicauthorityistheFederalGovernment,totheMinisterforFinance;
(b) ifthepublicauthorityisaStateGovernment,totheCommissionerforFinance
ofthatState;and
(c) inanyothercase,tothepublicauthorityconcerned,

anditshallthereuponbethedutyoftheMinister,personorpublicauthorityinquestion
toensurethattheamountintheorderispaidbytheproperofficerordepartment.
(3)Therespondent,ifimmediatelybeforethehearingofthecomplaintheisnotin
actualcustody,shallnotbecompelledtoenterthedockorotherplaceusuallyassigned
forpersonsundertrialonacriminalchargeorbeotherwisetreatedasunderarrestduring
thehearingofthecomplaint:
Providedthatthecourtmaycausetherespondenttobearrestedanddetainedin
custodyifitissatisfiedthatitisnecessarytodosoinordertosecuretheattendanceof
therespondent.
(4)Atthehearingofthecomplainttherespondentshallbeacompetentbutnota
compellablewitness.
(5)Attherequestofthecomplainant,anauthorisedlabourofficerwhoisentitledto
actundersection78(1)(j)ofthisActmayrepresentthecomplainantatthehearingofthe
complaint.
84.Compensation,andprovisionoffood
(1)Wherethecourt
(a)imposesanyfine;or
(b)directssecuritybywayofdeposittobegiven;or
(c)enforcespaymentofanysumsecuredbyarecognisance,

itmaydirectthatthefine,depositorsumwhenrecovered(orsuchpartthereofasit
thinksfit)shallbeappliedtocompensateanyemployerorworkerforwrongordamage
sustainedbyhimbyreasonoftheactorthinginrespectofwhichthefinewasimposedor
byreasonofthenonperformanceoftherelevantcontract.
(2)Whereitappearstothecourtthatthecomplainant(beingaworker)hasnotthe
meansandisotherwiseunabletoobtainfoodforhimselfpendingthedeterminationof
thecomplaint,itmay,subjecttosubsection(3)ofthissection,causethecomplainantto
besuppliedwithnecessaryfoodattheexpenseoftheFederalGovernment.
(3)Wherefoodissuppliedtothecomplainantundersubsection(2)ofthissection,
thecostofthefoodshallbeadebtduetotheFederalGovernmentfromthecomplainant
andmaybedeductedbythecourtfromanymoneysreceivedbythecourtfororonbehalf
ofthecomplainant,orshallotherwisebepaidbythecomplainant.

85.Costs
(1)Subjecttothissection,theprocessofthecourtforcompellingtheattendanceof
therespondentandallnecessarywitnessesshallbeinstitutedattheexpenseoftheFed
eralGovernmentandwithoutanyfeesofcourt.
(2)Atthefinaldeterminationofthecomplaintthecourtmaymakesuchorderforthe
paymentofcostsbyeitherpartyasitthinksproperinthecircumstances.
(3)Ifatthehearingofthecomplaint,thecourtisoftheopinionthatthecomplaintis
vexatiousorfrivolousitmay,thereandthenandwithoutanyfreshactionorproceeding,
orderthatthecomplainantshall
(a) payafinenotexceedingN50anddefraythecostoftheprocessandthewit
nesses;and
(b) indefaultofpaymentofthefineandcosts,beliabletoimprisonmentfora
termnotexceedingonemonth.
Miscellaneous

86.Applicationtopublicauthorities
TheprovisionsofthisAct,otherthanthepenalprovisions,shallapplytoandbecar
riedintoeffectbypublicauthorities:
Providedthat,intimesofnationalemergencyandinanyothercasewhereheis
satisfiedthatitisinthepublicinteresttodoso,theMinistermaybyorderexemptany
publicauthorityfromalloranyoftheprovisionsofthisActforsuchaperiodasmaybe
specifiedintheorder.
87.Contractsmadeabroad
(1)Subjecttothissection,nothinginthisActshallpreventanyemployer,workeror
otherpersontowhomthisActappliesfromenforcinghisrightsorremediesinrespectof
anybreachornonperformanceofanylawfulcontractmadeoutsideNigeria,andthe
rightsofthepartiesundersuchacontract(bothagainsteachotherandagainstthirdpar
tiesinvadingthoserights)maybeenforcedinthesamemannerasotherrightsarising
outsideNigeriamaybeenforcedandasifthisActhadnotbeenmade.
(2)WheneveracontractmadeoutsideNigeriahasbeenexecutedinconformitywith
thisAct,itshallbeenforcedinthesamemannerasacontractenteredintounderthisAct.
(3)AwrittencontractmadeoutsideNigeriawhichhasbeenexecutedotherwisethan
inconformitywiththisActshallnotbeenforcedagainstaworkertowhomthisActap
pliesifheisunabletoreadandunderstandthelanguageinwhichthecontractiswritten.
(4)Forthepurposesofthissection,acontractshallbedeemedtobeexecutedincon
formitywiththisActifitissignedbythenamesormarksofthepartiesandbearsanat
testationtotheeffectthatthecontractwasreadoverandexplainedtothepartiesinthe
presenceofthepersonattestingandwasenteredintobythepartiesvoluntarilyandwith
fullunderstandingofitsmeaningandeffect.
(5)Theattestationreferredtoinsubsection(4)ofthissectionmaybemadebyany
Nigerianofficialentitledtoactundersection12oftheOathsActorbyanyjudicialor

otherauthorityauthorisedbythelawoftheplacewherethecontractwasmadetoexer
cisethefunctionsofanotarypublicorequivalentfunctions.
[Cap.O1.]

88.Regulations
(1)TheMinistermaymakeregulations

(a) providingforthepaymentofcompensationbyemployerstoworkersordo
mesticservantsforinjuryarisingoutofandinthecourseoftheiremployment
incasesnotcomingwithintheprovisionsofanyotherenactment,andforthe
recoveryofthecompensationinquestion;
(b) requiringemployerstoreportanyaccidentinvolvingthedeathoforinjurytoa
workerordomesticservant,incasesnotcomingwithintheprovisionsofany
otherenactment;
(c) prescribingtheconditionsunderwhichcarriersmaybeemployedandthelimi
tationofloadstobecarriedbythem;
(d) imposinguponpersonswhohaveacceptedtheservicesofanyworkerordo
mesticservantwithoutpayingwagestherefortheobligationtoprovideforthe
maintenanceoftheworkerordomesticservantduringsicknessorinoldage;
(e) prescribinganythingwhichistobeprescribedunderthisActandisnotother
wiseprovidedfor;
(f) prescribingfeestobepaidforanymatterorthingtobedoneunderthisAct;
and
 (g) containingsuchproceduralorancillaryprovisionsasheconsidersnecessaryor
convenienttofacilitatetheoperationofthisAct.
(2)Regulationsmadeundersubsection(1)ofthissectionmayspecifyforanoffence
undertheregulationsafinenotexceedingN500orimprisonmentforatermnotexceed
ingoneyear,orboth.
89.Savingsandexemptions
(1)NothinginthisActshall

(a) operatetorelieveanyemployerorworkerofanydutyorliabilityimposed
uponhimbyanyotherenactmentortolimitanypowergiventoanypublicof
ficerbyanysuchenactment;or
(b) preventanyemployer,workerorotherpersontowhomthisActappliesfrom
beingproceededagainstaccordingtolawforanyoffencepunishableunderany
lawinforceinNigeria,sohoweverthatnopersonshallbepunishedtwicefor
thesameoffence.
(2)NothinginthisActshallapplytoservingmembersoftheArmedForcesofthe
FederationortheNigeriaPoliceForce.
(3)TheMinister,withthepriorapprovalofthePresident,maybyorderexempt
(subjecttosuchconditions,ifany,asheseesfittoimpose)anyclassorclassesofwork
ersfromtheapplicationofthisActoranyspecifiedprovisionthereof.

90.Repeal,andtransitionalandsavingprovisions
(1)TheLabourCodeActisherebyrepealed.
[Cap.91of1958Edition.]

(2)ThetransitionalandsavingprovisionsintheScheduletothisAct(includingany
provisionsmadeunderparagraph5ofthatSchedule)shallhaveeffectnotwithstanding
subsection(1)ofthissectionoranyotherprovisionofthisAct.
[Schedule.]

91.Interpretation
(1)InthisAct,unlessthecontextotherwiserequires

"administrativeofficer"meansadivisionalofficer,adistrictofficeroranyofficer
exercisingcorrespondingfunctions;

"agriculturalundertaking"meansanyundertakinginwhichaworkerisemployed
underacontractofemploymentforthepurposeofagriculture,fisheries,horticulture,silvi
culture,thetendingofdomesticanimalsandpoultryorthecollectionoftheproduceof
anyplantsortrees,butdoesnotincludeanysuchundertakinginwhichonlymembersof
thesamefamilyareemployed;

"authorisedlabourofficer"meansanauthorisedlabourofficerauthorisedunder
section77ofthisAct;

"citizen"meanscitizenofNigeria;

"chieforotherindigenousauthority"includesanychieforindigenousauthority
whoseauthorityiscustomaryortraditional;

"child"meansayoungpersonundertheageoftwelveyears;

"collectiveagreement"meansanagreementinwritingregardingworkingconditions
andtermsofemploymentconcludedbetween
(a) anorganisationofworkersoranorganisationrepresentingworkers(oranas
sociationofsuchorganisations)oftheonepart;and
(b) anorganisationofemployersoranorganisationrepresentingemployers(oran
associationofsuchorganisations)oftheotherpart;

"collectivebargaining"meanstheprocessofarrivingorattemptingtoarriveata
collectiveagreement;

"contract"meanscontractofemployment,andincludesacontractofapprenticeship;

"contractofemployment"meansanyagreement,whetheroralorwritten,expressor
implied,wherebyonepersonagreestoemployanotherasaworkerandthatotherperson
agreestoservetheemployerasaworker;

"domesticservant"meansanyhouse,stableorgardenservantemployedinorin
connectionwiththedomesticservicesofanyprivatedwellinghouse,andincludesaser
vantemployedasthedriverofaprivatelyownedorprivatelyusedmotorcar;
"employer"meansanypersonwhohasenteredintoacontractofemploymenttoem
ployanyotherpersonasaworkereitherforhimselforfortheserviceofanyotherper
son,andincludestheagent,managerorfactorofthatfirstmentionedpersonandtheper
sonalrepresentativesofadeceasedemployer;
"employer'spermit"meansanemployer'spermitgrantedundersection24ofthis
Act;

"family"hasthesamemeaningasintheFirstScheduletotheWorkmen'sCompen
sationAct;
(Cap.W6.]
"foreigncontract"meansacontractfortheemploymentofacitizenoutsideNigeria;

"function"includespowerandduty;

"guardian"includesanypersontowhosecareayoungpersonhasbeencommitted
(eventemporarily)byapersonhavingauthorityovertheyoungperson,andanyperson
lawfullyhavingchargeofayoungpersonwhohasnoparentsorwhoseparentsareun
known;

"industrialundertaking"includes
(a)mines,quarriesandotherworksfortheextractionofmineralsfromtheearth;

(b) industriesinwhicharticlesaremanufactured,altered,cleaned,repaired,orna
mented,finished,adaptedforsale,brokenupordemolishedorinwhichmate
rialsaretransformed,includingshipbuildingandthegenerationandtransfor
mationofelectricityormotivepowerofanykind;
(c) theconstruction,reconstruction,maintenance,repair,alterationordemolition
ofanybuilding,railway,tramway,harbour,dock,canal,inlandwaterway,
road,tunnel,bridge,viaduct,sewer,drain,well,telegraphortelephonicinstal
lation,electricalundertaking,gasworks,waterworks,orotherworksofcon
struction,aswellasthepreparationfororthelayingofthefoundationofany
suchworkorstructure;and
(d) transportofpassengersorgoodsbyroad,rail,air,seaorinlandwaterways,
includingthehandlingofgoodsatdocks,quays,wharves,warehousesandair
ports,andincludingthecarryingofcoalorothermaterialsbyhandtoorfrom
lightersorships,
butdoesnotincludeanycommercialoragriculturalundertaking,anyundertakingin
whichonlymembersofthesamefamilyareemployedoranycustomaryoccupationofa
kindnormallycarriedonathome;
"industrialworker"includesanyartificer,journeyman,handicraftsman,canoeman,
carrier,messenger,clerk,shopassistant,storekeeper,labourer,agriculturallabourer,hotel

orcateringworkerorapprenticeandanypersonorclassofpersonsgainfullyemployedor
normallyseekingalivelihoodbygainfulemploymentdeclaredtobesuchbytheMinister
byorder;

"industry"includestrade;

"labourhealtharea"meansalabourhealthareadeclaredundersection66ofthis
Act;

"localgovernment"meansalocalgovernmentauthority,thelocalauthorityofa
townshiporanycouncilorotherauthority(howeverstyled)exercisingstatutoryorcus
tomarypowersoflocaladministrationinaState;

"mine"includesanyplace,excavationorworkingwhereon,whereinorwherebyany
operationinconnectionwithminingiscarriedon;
"Minister"meanstheFederalMinisterforEmployment,LabourandProductivity;
"publicauthority"means
(a)theFederalGovernment;or
(b)aStateGovernment;or
(c)alocalgovernmentauthority;or
 (d) astatutorycorporation,thatistosay,abodycorporatedirectlyestablishedby
lawinNigeria,beingabodywhichisexpresslyboundbylawtocomplywith
directionsgivenbyaMinisterorbyacorrespondingauthority;or
(e) agovernmentcontrolledcompany,thatistosay,alimitedliabilitycompany
incorporatedinNigeriainwhichtheFederalGovernmentoraStateGovern
menthasacontrollinginterest;
"publicdepartment"meansaministryordepartmentofapublicauthority;
"publicofficer"meansanypersonemployedbyapublicauthority;

"recruiter"meanstheholderofarecruiter'slicence;

"recruiter'slicence"meansarecruiter'slicencegrantedundersection25ofthisAct;
"recruiting"includesalloperationsundertakenwiththeobjectofobtainingorsup
plyingthelabourofpersonswhodonotspontaneouslyoffertheirservicesattheplaceof
employment,atapublicemigrationoremploymentofficeoratanofficeconductedbyan
employer'sassociationandsupervisedbytheMinister;
"State"meansaStateoftheFederation;

"StateAuthority"meanstheGovernororAdministratorofaState;

"wages"meansremunerationorearnings(howeverdesignatedorcalculated)capable
ofbeingexpressedintermsofmoneyandfixedbymutualagreementorbylawwhichare

payablebyvirtueofacontractbyanemployertoaworkerforworkdoneortobedoneor
forservicesrenderedortoberendered;

"woman"meansanymemberofthefemalesex,whateverherageorstatus;

"worker"meansanypersonwhohasenteredintoorworksunderacontractwithan
employer,whetherthecontractisformanuallabourorclericalworkorisexpressedor
impliedororalorwritten,andwhetheritisacontractofserviceoracontractpersonally
toexecuteanyworkorlabour,butdoesnotinclude
(a) anypersonemployedotherwisethanforthepurposesoftheemployer'sbusi
ness;or
(b) personsexercisingadministrative,executive,technicalorprofessionalfunc
tionsaspublicofficersorotherwise;or
(c)membersoftheemployer'sfamily;or
(d)representatives,agentsandcommercialtravellersinsofarastheirworkiscar
riedonoutsidethepermanentworkplaceoftheemployer'sestablishment;or
(a) anypersontowhomarticlesormaterialsaregivenouttobemadeup,cleaned,
washed,altered,ornamented,finished,repairedoradaptedforsaleinhisown
homeoronotherpremisesnotunderthecontrolormanagementoftheperson
whogaveoutthearticlesorthematerial;or
(b) anypersonemployedinavesseloraircrafttowhichthelawsregulatingmer
chantshippingorcivilaviationapply;
 "youngperson"meansapersonundertheageofeighteenyears.
(2)InthisAct,unlessthecontextotherwiserequires,areferencetoanumberedPart
orsectionisareferencetothePartorsectionsonumberedinthisAct.

92.Shorttitle
ThisActmaybecitedastheLabourAct.

SCHEDULE
[Section90.]

Transitionalandsavingprovisions
1.Permitsandlicencesgrantedundersections65and70respectivelyoftherepealedAct
shall,iftheywereinforceimmediatelypriortothecommencementofthisAct,continuein
forceonthesametermsandconditionsbutshallbesubjecttothisAct;andaccordinglyno
suchtermorconditionshallprevailagainstanyprovisionofthisAct.
2.Contractsofemploymentwhichwereinforceimmediatelypriortothecommencementof
thisActshallremaininforceonthesametermsandconditions,butshallbesubjecttothis
Act;andnosuchtermorconditionshallprevailagainstanyprovisionofthisActunlessan
authorisedlabourofficerontheapplicationofapartytothecontractinquestiondecidesthat
theinterestsofthepartiesorthecircumstancesofthecaserequirethatthetermorconditionin
questionshallsoprevail.
3.Whereafeechargingemploymentagencywasinoperationimmediatelybeforethecom
mencementofthisAct,section71(1)ofthisActshallnotapplytotheagency
(a) foraperiodofninetydays(orsuchlongerperiodastheMinistermayallow)
afterthecommencementofthisAct;or
(b) ifthepersonoperatingtheagencyapplieswithinthatperiodfortheMinister's
consentunderthesaidsection71(1)ofthisActuntiltheapplicationhasbeen
disposedof.
4.AnysubsidiarylegislationmadeordeemedtohavebeenmadeundertherepealedAct
whichwasinforceimmediatelybeforethecommencementofthisActshallremaininforce,
subjecttoanynecessarymodifications,asifithasbeenmadeunderthisAct,andmaybe
addedto,amended,revokedorvariedaccordingly.
5.WithinthetwelvemonthsfollowingthecommencementofthisAct,theMinistermayby
ordermakeanyfurthertransitionalorsavingprovisions(notinconsistentwiththisSchedule)
whichappeartohimtobenecessaryordesirable.
6.InthisSchedule"therepealedAct"meanstheLabourCodeActrepealedbysec
tion90(1)ofthisAct.
[Cap.91of1958Edition.]

 LABOURACT

SUBSIDIARYLEGISLATION

ListofSubsidiaryLegislation
1.LabourRegulations.
2.DockLabour(RegistrationandControlofEmployment)Rules.
3.DockLabour(RegistrationandControlofEmployment)Rules(Application)Declaration.

LABOURREGULATIONS

ARRANGEMENTOFREGULATIONS

PARTI

Generalprovisions
PARTII

Specialprovisionsapplicabletolabourers'contractsforserviceinNigeria

PARTIII
Specialregulationsforlabourhealthareas
PARTIV

Carriers

PARTV

Formsandpenalties
SCHEDULE

LABOURREGULATIONS
[L.N.38of1936.]
undersection88
 PARTI

Generalprovisions
1.Shorttitle
TheseregulationsmaybecitedastheLabourRegulations.
[Regulations6of1929*.36of1933.22of1936.5of1938.21of1942.49of1944.
Order47of1951.L.N.131of1954.1of1955.]
2.Interpretation
IntheseRegulationsunlessthecontextotherwiserequires

"inspectoroflabour"includesallinspectorsofmines;
"medicalofficer"includeseveryregisteredmedicalpractitionerintheserviceofthe
Government,whetherinthemedicalorsanitarybranchoftheservice.
3.EverycontractrequiredbytheActtobeinwriting(otherthanadeedofapprentice
ship)shallbeinFormAorBintheScheduleoftheseRegulationsortothelikeeffect
andiftheemployedoranyofthemisilliterate,itshallbearattestationintheformgiven.
[Schedule.FormsAandB.]
4.(1)Theemployerunderadeedofapprenticeshipshallgivetotheapprenticewhohas
servedhisapprenticeship,acertificateofproficiencyaccordingtotheabilityoftheap
prentice.
[5of1938.]
(2)Ifanemployershallrefusetogivesuchcertificatetheapprenticemayappealtoa
GovernorortheMinisterandiftheGovernorortheMinister(asthecasemaybe)thinks
fit,hemaycausetheapprenticetobeexaminedbyaqualifiedperson.
[38of1936.]

(3)Ifthepersonconductingsuchexaminationshallconsiderthattheapprenticeis
deservingofacertificateofproficiencyhemaygivehimsuchcertificate,andinsuch
casetheemployershallpaytotheGovernmentsuchsumtocovertheexpensesofandin
connectionwiththeexamination(includingthefeespaidtotheexaminer)astheGover
norortheMinister(asthecasemaybe)maydirect.
5.Nopersonshalldemandoracceptfromarecruitedservantanypaymentasareward
forobtainingemploymentfortheservantexceptwiththeconsentofaGovernororthe
Minister.

6.Nocontractunderwhichaservanthasengagedtorepaytohisemployerthewholeor
anypartofanypaymentwhichtheemployerhasmadeorhasagreedtomakeinconnec
tionwithrecruitingofsuchservantshallbeenforceableagainsttheservantinanycourt.
7.Wagesshallbepaidtotheemployeepersonallywithoutanydeductionwhatsoever,
exceptasmaybespecificallyauthorisedbythecontractunderwhichthewagesarepay
ableorasmaybeauthorisedbylaw.
8.Inthecaseofthedeathofanemployeetheemployershallsendanywageswhich
havebeenearnedbytheemployeetothenearestmagistratetobepaidbyhimtosuch
personasmaybeentitledthereto.
9.(1)Wagespayableunderacontractofservice,notbeingacontracttoperformsome
specificworkwithoutreferencetotimeoracontractunderwhichwagesarepayablefor
piecework,shallbepayableatadaily,weeklyormonthlyrate.
(2)Whenwagesarepayableataweeklyormonthlyratetheservantshall,intheab
senceofanyagreementtothecontrary,bedeemedtohavecontractedtoworkforhis
employerforsixdaysoutofeverysevenduringtheperiodofhisengagementandshall
beentitledtoreceivethefullwages,subjectonlytoanylawfuldeduction,foreachweek
ormonthduringwhichheshallsowork:
Provided,however,thatcrewsofvesselsandratingsservingafloatandservants
employedinanydomesticorpersonalserviceorhavingthechargeorcareofanyanimal
shalloneachdayoftheweekormonthperformsuchdutiesasmayberequiredofthem
bytheiremployers.
10.Allwages,whetherpayableatadaily,weeklyormonthlyrateorpayableforpiece
workshall,intheabsenceofanywrittenagreementtothecontrary,bepaidnotlaterthan
eightdaysaftertheybecomedueatsuchintervalsnotbeinglongerthanonemonthas
maybeagreedbetweentheemployerandtheservant.
11.Saveinthecaseofacontractundersections36to44oftheAct,anemployermay
makedeductionfromwagestotheextentandinthecasesfollowing
(a) whenwagesarepayableatadailyrateandarenotpayabledaily,theemployer
maydeductoneday'swageforeachdayonwhichtheservantisabsentfrom
workwhentheemployerisreadyandwillingtoemployhim;
(b) whenwagesarepayableataweeklyrate,theemployermaydeductonesixth
oftheweeklywageforeachdayonwhichtheservantisabsentfromworkand
onwhichheisunderanobligationtowork;
(c) whenwagesarepayableatamonthlyrate,theemployermaydeductone
twentyseventhofthemonthlywageforeachdayonwhichtheservantisab
sentfromworkandonwhichheisunderanobligationtowork.
PARTII

Specialprovisionsapplicabletolabourers'contractsforserviceinNigeria
12.(1)ThisPartoftheseRegulationsshallapplyonlytolabourers'contractsfor
servicewithinNigeria.
(2)Regulations13to17(inclusive)and28oftheseRegulationsshallnotapplyto
anyNigerianengagedforserviceinanycapacityafloat.
13.Everyemployershallfurnishtoeachlabourerinhisemploymentunderacontract
requiredbytheActtobeinwritingwhoisnotpaiddaily,onfirstengagementandthere
afteronthefirstdayofeachmonth,anattendancebookinFormFintheScheduleto
theseRegulations.
[5of1938.Schedule.FormF.]
14.Everysuchlabourershallbeinstructedbyhisemployertoproducehisattendance
bookoneverydayonwhichheshallattendforwork,anditshallbethedutyortheem
ployerorhisagenttoindicateinsuchbook,everydayonwhichthelabourershallhave
worked.

15.Wheneveranywagesarepaidtoanysuchlaboureritshallbethedutyoftheem
ployerorhisagentpayingthesametoenterinthelabourer'sattendancebook,whichthe
labourershallberequiredtoproduceforthepurpose,theparticularsrequiredtobeshown
inrespectofsuchpaymentandtosigntheentry,andtoreturnthebooktothelabourer.
16.Everyemployeroflabourers(whetherunderwrittencontractornot)shallkeepa
dailyrecordoftheattendancesofandpaymentsmadetoeachlaboureremployedbyhim
andshallproducethesametoamagistrateondemandmadeatanytimewithinsix
monthsofthelastentrytherein.
17.Amagistratemayatanytimeinspectanysuchrecordandanyattendancebookfur
nishedunderregulation13oftheseRegulationsanduponanysuchinspection,itshallbe
hisdutytosatisfyhimselfthatalldeductionsofwagesshownareauthorisedandproper.
18.Ifalaboureremployedunderwrittencontractshalldesiretosendanyportionofhis
wagestohisrelatives,theemployershalltransmitthesame,asrequestedbythelabourer,
eitherdirectlyorthroughamagistrate.
19.Noclaimsbyanemployeragainstalabourerfororonaccountofadvancesmadeor
goodssuppliedbytheemployerduringtheperiodofthecontractorservicebetweenthe
employerandthelabourershallbeenforceableinanycourtaftertheexpirationofsuch
contract.

20.Inthematterofhousingaccommodationandthesanitaryconditionofanylabourers'
camporquarterstheemployershallcomplywithallreasonabledirectionsofanadminis
trativeormedicalofficerinchargeofthedistrict.

21.Whenhousingaccommodationisprovidedbytheemployer,meansofobtaining
food,waterandfuelmustbeaffordedwithinareasonabledistancefromthecampor
quarters.

22.Everyemployershall,byarrangementsmadewiththepersonincontrolofthenear
estormostconvenientlocalgovernmentcouncilorotherhospital,provideforthemedi
calandsurgicaltreatmentofhislabourers;ifthelabourersareengagedonworkinthe
FederalCapitalTerritory,Abuja,bytheMinisteroriftheyareengagedonworkinany
State,bytheStateCommissionerchargedwithresponsibilityforlabour,andshallpro
vide
[36of1933.49of1944.Order47of1951.L.N.131of1954.]
(a) forthenecessaryhospitalanddispensaryaccommodationandtreatmentforthe
labourersofsuchemployer,whichtreatmentshallinclude,wherenecessary,in
additiontoinpatientandoutpatienttreatmentatthehospital,outpatienttreat
mentattheplacewheresuchlabourersareemployed;
(b) (i)forthefeestobechargedbythehospitalauthorityinrespectofsuch
 hospitalanddispensaryaccommodationandtreatmentandtheirpay
mentbytheemployer,providedalwaysthatsuchemployershallnotbe
liableforthepaymentofsuchfeestothehospitalauthorityinexcessof
aperiodofsixweeksfromthecommencementofsuchtreatmentora
periodequaltotheperiodduringwhichthelabourerreceivingtreat
menthasbeenemployedbysuchemployer,whicheverperiodmaybe
thelesser,or,inthealternative;
(ii) foranannualcapitationfeetobechargedbythehospitalauthorityin
placeofthefeesreferredtoinsubparagraph(i)ofparagraph(b)ofthis
regulation;
[9Vol.VIII]
(b) forthepaymentbytheemployertothehospitalauthorityinrespectofhospital
dietsuppliedbysuchauthoritytoinpatientlabourersataratenotlessthanthe
currentrateforhospitalpauperdietsforaperiodofsixweeksfromthecom
mencementofincapacityoraperiodequaltotheperiodduringwhichthela
bourerincapacitatedasaforesaidhasbeenemployedbysuchemployer,which
everperiodmaybethelesser:
Providedthatwhereanannualcapitationfeeischargedundertheprovisionsof
subparagraph(ii)ofparagraph(b)ofthisregulation,suchcapitationfeeshallinclude
paymentsbyanemployerinrespectofhospitaldietsuppliedtoinpatientlabourersand
accordinglytheprovisionsofthisparagraphshallnotapply;and
(d) fortheprovisionofsuitabletransportforsickandinjuredlabourersfromtheplaceof
theirworkortheirhomes,asthecasemaybe,tothehospitalorap
propriatetreatmentcentre.

23.Everyemployershallberesponsibleforthecareandsupervision,andfortheproper
feedingtothesatisfactionofthemedicalofficer,ofhissickandinjuredlabourersuntil
suchtimeastheyareformallyreceivedandacceptedasinpatientsbyahospitalauthor
ity.
[23of1933.]

24.Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofregulation22oftheseRegulations,anyemployer
may,ifhesodesires,andshall,iftheStateDirectorofMedicalServicesconsidersthat
suchprovisionisnecessary,provideoneormorehospitalsanddispensariesfortheac
commodationandtreatmentofhissickandinjuredlabourers:

Providedalwaysthat
(a)suchprovisionshallbeinaccordancewithandconformtotherequirementsof
hospitalsinlabourhealthareas;and
[36of1933.Order47of1951.L.N.131of1954.]

(b)suchprovision,inadditiontotheapprovaloftheStateDirectorofMedical
Servicesinsofarasthesameisrequired,shall,iftheplacewherethelabourers
workissituateintheFederalCapitalTerritory,Abuja,requiretheapprovalof
theMinister,oriftheplaceissituateinanyState,thatoftheStateCommis
sionerchargedwithresponsibilityforLabour.
25.Regulations20,21,22,23and24oftheseRegulationsshallnotapplyinalabour
healtharea.
[36of1933.]

26.Savewhereagreementismadetothecontrary,nodeductionshallbemadefromthe
wagesofalabourerforhousing,fuel,medicineormedicalattendanceprovidedorpaid
forbytheemployer.

27.(1)Whentheemployerhasagreedtosupplythelabourerwithfood,thefoodsup
pliedshallnotbelessthanthefollowingscale
[36of1933.]
(a)5.44kilogramsofgrain(includingrice)perweek;and
(b)0.907kilogramsofbeansorgroundnutsperweek;and

(c) 170gramsorsalt(or56.7gramsofsaltand0.907kilogramsofgreenroodper
week),exclusiveofchaff,stalkorshellthatmaybegiventogetherwiththe
grain,beansorgroundnutkernels;alsootherrationsmaybesupplied;provided
thatthedietshallnotbeoflessnutritivevaluethanthedietprescribedinthe
abovescale.

(2)Therationssuppliedshall,asfaraspossible,beinaccordancewiththefoodto
whichthelabourerisaccustomed,andtheemployershallcomplywithallreasonable
directionsofamedicalofficerwithregardtothequantityandkindofrationtobesup
plied.

28.(1)Nolabourershallberequiredtoworkformorethantenhoursaday,andevery
labourershallbeallowedtobreakoffworkfortwohoursduringtheday,andalsoade
quatetimetoobtainfuelandpreparehisfoodintheevening.
(2)Thisregulationdoesnotapplytopieceworkers,labourersemployedoncoalinga
vessel,ornightwatchmen.
29.Ontheexpirationofthecontractofservice,orwhenthelabourerisunablebyreason
ofillnesstocompletehisservice,theemployershall
(a) ifthelabourerhasbeenbroughttotheplaceofemploymentbyshiporrailway
atthecostoftheemployer,providethelabourerwithareturnpassageorfare
totheplaceofengagement;or
(b) ifotherwisebroughtbytheemployerorhisagenttotheplaceofemployment,
providehimwithsubsistenceattherateoffivekoboperdiemforthetime
duringwhichthelabourerwouldtaketoreachtheplacefromwhichhehas
beenbrought,travellingeighteenmilesperdiem:
Providedthatalabourerwhoisunabletocompletehisservicebyreasonofillness
shallnotbereturnedtotheplacefromwhichhehasbeenbroughtuntilamedicalofficer
hascertifiedthatheisfittotravel.

30.(1)Anemployershallreportwithoutdelaytothenearestmagistrateanyaccident
involvingthedeathoforinjurytoanylabourerwhoisnotaworkmanwithinthemeaning
oftheWorkmen'sCompensationActnorapersontowhomtheprovisionsofanyother
Actrespectingcompensationforsuchdeathorinjuryapply.
[21of1942.Cap.W6.]
(2)Uponreceiptofsuchreportthemagistrateshallholdaninquiryandiftheinjury
isoneresultingindeath,orwhichincapacitatessuchlabourerforaperiodofatleastone
weekfromearningfullwagesattheworkatwhichhewasengaged,orwhichresultsin
totalorpartialincapacityfromearninghisliving,themagistrateshallawardtosuchla
bourerortohisdependantsoranyoneormoreofsuchdependantssuchsumashemay
deemjust.
(3)Whereitisprovedthattheinjurytosuchlabourerisattributabletohisseriousand
wilfulmisconduct,compensationshallbedisallowed:
Providedthatwheretheinjuryresultsindeathorseriousandpermanentincapacity
themagistrate,onaconsiderationofallthecircumstances,mayawardsuchcompensation
ashemaydeemjust.
(4)Whereamagistratemakesanawardundertheprovisionsofthisregulation,he
mayordertheamountsoawardedtobepaidinonelumpsumorbyinstalmentspayable
atsuchperiodsashemaythinktit;ormayorder,inthesolediscretionofanyperson
namedinsuchorder,thatthesumawardedbeexpendedforthebenefitofsuchlabourer
orofsuchdependantsofsuchlabourerasthemagistratemaydecide.
(5)Whereamagistratemakesanawardundertheprovisionsofthisregulation,he
mayorder,inadditiontoanysuchaward,thattheemployershallpayallreasonable
medicalandhospitalexpensesincurredbyalabourerintreatmentoftheinjury.
(6)Whereasumisdueuponanyawardmadeunderthisregulation,thelabourerto
whomsuchsumisdueorthedependantentitledtheretomayrecoversuchsumbypro
cessoflawasiftheawardunderwhichsuchsumisduewereajudgmentofthecourtof
themagistratewhomadetheaward.
(7)Nothinginthisregulationcontainedshallaffectthecivilliabilityoftheemployer
underanyotherlawunlesscompensationispaidunderthisregulation.

31.(1)Anypersonaggrievedbythedecisionofamagistrateholdinganinquiryunder
theprovisionsofregulation30oftheseRegulationsmayappealtoaJudgeoftheHigh
Courtwithinwhoseareaofjurisdictiontheaccidentoccurredbygivingnoticeofappeal
totheappropriatecourtwithinfourteendaysofthedateofsuchdecision.
[21of1942.L.N.Iof1955.]
(2)ThedecisionofsuchJudgeshallbefinal.
[21of1942.]

32.Forthepurposesofregulations30and31oftheseRegulations"partialincapac
ity","totalincapacity"and"dependants"shalIhavethesamemeaningasinthe
Workmen'sCompensationActasfromtimetotimeamended.
[Cap.W6.21of1942.]

33.Anyadministrativeofficer,medicalofficer,sanitarysuperintendentorinspectorof
labourmayforthepurposesoftheseRegulationsatanytimeenteruponanylandorinto
anybuildingwhereanylabourerisemployedorhoused,andmayputquestionsconcern
ingsuchlabourerstotheiremployerortoanypersonwhomaybeinchargeofthem,orto
thelabourersthemselves,andtheemployerorsuchperson,oranysuchlabourer,shall
answeranysuchquestionstrulytothebestofhisability.
[21of1942.]

PARTIII

Specialregulationsforlabourhealthareas
Regulations3443
[TheregulationsinthisPart(whichweremadeundersection62(9)ofActNo.1of1929)
remaininforceuntilreplacedbyregulationsmadeunderthisAct(section6oftheInterpretation
Act,Cap.I23).TheyhavealreadybeenreplacedfortheNorthernStatesbyRegulations14
of1948(supra);andareexpectedtobereplacedfortheotherStatesatanearlydate.They
areaccordinglynotherereproduced;butthenumberinginthe1948editionofthe
subsequentPartsandRegulationshasbeenretained.]
PARTIV

Carriers

44.InthisPart"acarrier"meansapersonemployedtocarryaloadonajourney,but
doesnotincludeamailrunner.

45.Acarriershallnotberequiredtocarryaloadinexcessof65poundsincludingfood
issuedtoandcarriedbyhim.

46.(1)IfacarrierfallssickonthejourneyhemaybeleftinavilIage.
(2)TheemployerorhisagentshalImakeadequateprovisionforthesubsistenceof
suchcarrier,andshallsatisfyhimselfthathewillbeproperlytendedandhislifesafe.
(3)IfthecarrieristooilltowalkheshalIbecarriedtoavilIageatwhichhecanbe
safelylefthavingregardtotherequirementofthisregulation.

(4)Wheneveracarriershallhavebeenleftinavillageasaforesaidtheemployeror
hisagentshallwithoutunnecessarydelayinformthesecretarytothelocalgovernment
council.

PARTV

Formsandpenalties
47.TheformssetoutintheScheduletotheseRegulationsorformstothelikeeffect
shallbeusedforthematterstowhichtheyareapplicable.
 [Schedule.]
48.Anypersonwhoshallfailtocomplywithorshallcommitanybreachofanyofthese
Regulationsorofanyorderordirectionlawfullygiventhereundershallbeguiltyofan
offenceandshall,ifnootherpenaltyisprescribedfortheoffence,beliableforafirst
offencetoafineoftwentynaira,andforasecondoffencetoafineoffiftynairaorim
prisonmentforonemonthorboth:
Providedthemaximumpenaltyimposedonanoffenderatoneandthesametime
underthisregulationshallnotexceedatineofonehundrednairaorimprisonmentforsix
monthsorboth.

SCHEDULE

FORMA
[Regulations3and47.]
ContractofService(General)
MEMORANDUMOFAGREEMENTmadethis.......................................dayof......,20 ,
between...........................................of........................(hereinaftercalledtheemployer)
oftheonepartandeachofthepartieswhosenamesaresetoutinthefirstcolumnoftheSchedule
below(hereinaftercalledtheemployed)oftheotherpart,wherebyitisagreedasfollows
1.Eachoftheemployedagreestoservetheemployerat..............................inthe
capacitysetoutinthesecondcolumnofthesaidScheduleoppositethenameoftheemployedfor
theperiodoftobecomputedfromthe.............dayof........................20...........
2.Theemployeragreestopaytoeachoftheemployedwagesattheratesetoutinthe
thirdcolumnofthesaidScheduleoppositethenameoftheemployed,suchwagestobe
paid*........................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................
3...............................................................................................................................

Statewhetherwagesaretobepaiddaily,weeklyormonthly.
Setouttheobligation(ifany)oftheemployerwithregardtosupplyingrations,etc.,andanyother
obliga
tionsoftheemployeroremployedwhicharenotcoveredbytheActorRegulations.

4...............................................................................................................................
5...............................................................................................................................

Inwitnesswhereofthepartieshavehereuntosettheirhandsormadetheirmarksthedayandyear
firstabovewritten.
Signedbythesaidemployer....................................................................................
inthepresenceof..................)

..........................................................)

Signatureofemployer

Nameofemployed Capacityinwhich Rateofwages Signatureormarkof

employed employed
1 .. ..
2 ..
3 .
4 .
5.. ..
6.. ..

Signedbytheemployedinthepresenceof...............................................(Witness)
Attestationwhenemployedareilliterate

Iherebycertifythattheabovecontractwasreadoverandexplainedtoallthepartiestheretowho
areilliteratesinmypresenceandwasenteredintobythemvoluntarilyandwithfullunderstanding
ofitsmeaningandeffect.

Signatureofpersonattesting

 FORMB
[Regulation3.]
ContractofService(ForeignEmployment)
MEMORANDUMOFAGREEMENTmadethis........dayof.....................,20.........,
between...........................................of......................(hereinaftercalledtheemployer)
oftheonepartandeachofthepartieswhosenamesaresetoutintheSchedulebelow(hereinafter
calledthelabourers)oftheotherpart.SubjecttotheprovisionsoftheLabourAct(Cap.L1),the
labourersandeachofthemseverallyherebyagreetoservetheemployeras.....
forthetermof..................................monthsandtoobeyalllawfulandreasonablecom
mandsoftheemployerorhisoverseersorauthorisedagents,inconsiderationwhereofandsubject
asaforesaidtheemployeragreeswitheachlabourerseverallytoconveyhimfreeofcostwhether
fortransportormaintenancetohisplaceofemploymentandfromandafterhisarrivalthereatto
payhimwagesattherateof...........perdiemtogetherwithanadequatedailyrationoran
allowanceinlieuthereofattherateofperdiem;suchwagestobepaidastoonehalfthereofmonthly
attheexpirationofeachmonthofserviceandastotheotherhalfimmediatelyuponhis
returntotheplaceofembarkationashereinafterprovided.
Andtheemployerfurtheragreestoprovideeachofthesaidlabourerswithreasonablequartersfree
ofcostandwithmedicineandmedicalattendancewhensick;andalsowithinfourteendaysafter
theexpirationofthiscontracttoconveyeachofthesaidlabourersfreeofcostwhetherfortransport
ormaintenancetotheplacewhencetheyfirstembarkedforthepurposeoffulfillingthiscontract.

FORMBcontinued
Inwitnesswhereofthepartieshavehereuntosettheirhandsormadetheirmarksthedayandyear
firstabovewritten.
Signedbythesaidemployerinthepresenceof......................................................

(Witness)

Scheduleoflabourers

Nativeof
Name Nativeof Mark

...........................................................................................................Witnesstomarks.

Attestationwhenemployedareilliterate
Iherebycertifythattheabovecontractwasreadoverandexplainedtoallthepartiestheretowho
areilliteratesinmypresenceandwasenteredintobythemvoluntarilyandwithfullunderstanding
ofitsmeaningandeffect.
(Seal)............................................................................AuthorisedLabourOfficer.

FORMC
[Regulation48.]
Deedofapprenticeship
THISDEED,madethe.......................dayof.....................................20.................
between................................................(aboy*abovetheageofnineyearsandunderthe
ageofsixteenyears)by
that......................................................ofthesaid....................................oftheone

partand.........................................................of..............................oftheotherpart:
.....................................................................................................................Witnessethasfollows

*Or"girl".
"Father","mother",or"guardian".

1.Thesaid...........................................bytheauthorityofthesaid

herebybindshimselfapprenticetothesaid

..........................for...........................years

fromthedatehereofandagreesduringthattermfaithfullytoservethesaid .
......andobeyhislawfulcommandsandnotabsent

himselfbydayornightfromtheserviceofthesaid

.........................................withoutleave.

2.Thesaid............................................agreeswiththesaid...............
thatduringthesaidtermhewillprovidehimwithsufficientsubsistenceandproperlodging
andsuitableclothingandmedicaladviceandmedicine,andwillinstructhimorcausehimtobe

instructedintheemploymentof

...............andwillcausehimtobesent

andwillbringhimtothe
regularlytoschool'untilheisoftheageof
secretarytothelocalgovernmentcouncilat
Inwitnesswhereo(..........................................thedayandyearfirstabovewritten.(L.S.)

Attestationwhereponyorponiescanreadandwrite
Signed,sealedanddeliveredbythesaid......................................................(L.S.)
Inthepresenceof.........................................................................................(L.S.)
AuthorisedLabourOfficer

Themarkofthesaid.

Attestationwhereanyofthepartiesisilliterate
.................................wasmadeheretoandthis

indenturewassealedanddeliveredbyhimafterthesamehadbeeninterpretedtohimby .
(sworn)interpreter(ofthecourt)inthe
language,whenheseemedfullytounderstandthesame.

Inthepresenceof...
AuthorisedLabourOfficer
Approved
AuthorisedLabourOfficer
20......................

*Theclauseastoschoolingmaybestruckoutifnecessary.

Thesaid.havehereuntosettheirhandsandseals,orthe
said.havehereuntomadetheirmarksandseytheirseals,or
thesaidhashereuntosethishandandseal,andthesaid
FORMCcontinued
hashereuntosethisseal,asthecasemaybe.

FORMD
[Regulation48.]

Deedofapprenticeship
THISDEED,madethe.......................dayof.....................................20.................

Between................................................................(achildundertheageofsixteenyears,
withoutknownrelativesandwithoutaguardian)by.........of..............................
(whohasbeenappointedbytheGovernorofthe.........................................State
astheguardianofthesaid.....................andtoexecutethisdeedonhisbehalf)oftheone
partand.....................................................of...................................oftheotherpart:
Witnessethasfollows

1.Thesaid.............................................bytheauthorityofthesaidGovernorherebybinds
himselfapprenticetothesaid................................for..........................................
yearsfromthedatehereofandagreesduringthattermfaithfullytoservethesaid .
...........................................andobeyhislawfulcommandsandnotabsenthimselfbydayor

nightfromtheserviceofthesaid........................................................withoutleave.
2.Thesaid......................................agreeswiththesaid...................thatduringthe
saidtermhewillprovidehimwithsufficientsubsistenceandproperlodgingandsuitableclothing
andmedicaladviceandmedicine,andwillinstructhimorcausehimtobeinstructedinthe
employment
of.......................................andwillcausehimtoberegularlysenttoschool'untilheisofthe
ageof...............andwillbringhimtothesecretarytothelocalgovernmentcouncilat .
onthefirstMondayinJanuary,April,JulyandOctoberineachyearandatsuchothertimesorto
suchotherofficerasthesecretarytothelocalgovernmentcouncilshalldirect.
Inwitnesswhereof..................................................thedayandyearfirstabovewritten.

........................................................................................................................(L.S.)
Attestationwherepart)'orpartiescanreadandwrite
Signed,sealedanddeliveredbythesaid.......................................................(L.S.)
Inthepresenceof...........................................................................................(L.S.)
AuthorisedLabourOfficer

*Theclauseastoschoolingmaybestruckoutifnecessary.

"Thesaid...............................................................havehereuntosettheirhandsandseals",or"the
said................................................................havehereuntomadetheirmarksandsettheirseals",or

FORMDcontinued
"thesaid....hashereuntosethishandandseal,andthesaid

........................................hashereuntomadehismarkandsethisseal",asthecasemaybe.

Attestationwhereanyofthepartiesisilliterate
Themarkofthesaid.........................................................................wasmadehereto
andthisindenturewassealedanddeliveredbyhimafterthesamehadbeeninterpretedtohimby
(sworn)interpreter(ofthecourt)in
the.............................................language,whenheseemedfullytounderstandthesame.
Inthepresence..
 AuthorisedLabourOfficer
Approved
AuthorisedLabourOfficer
..20.................

FORME
[Regulation48.]

Deedofapprenticeship
THISDEED,madethe........................dayof.............20
Between(apersonnotundertheageofsixteenyears)
Of.oftheonepart,and..of
..oftheotherpart:

1.Thesaid.herebybindshimselfapprenticetothe

said.......................for.....................yearsfromthedatethereofandagreesduringthatterm
faithfullytoservethesaid.....andobeyhislawfulcommandsandnot

absenthimselfbydayornightfromtheserviceofthesaidwithoutleave.

2.Thesaid.................................................agreeswiththesaid.............................
thatduringthesaidtermhewillprovidehimwithsufficientsubsistenceandproperlodgingand
suitableclothingandmedicaladviceandmedicine,orwagesinlieuthereof,andwillinstructhimor

causehimtobeinstructedintheemploymentof
Inwitnesswhereof*......................thedayandyearfirstabovewritten.

.....................................(L.S.)
______________________
*'Thesaid................................................................havehereuntosettheirhandsandseals",or"the
said......................havehereuntomadetheirmarksandsettheirseals",or
"thesaid...............hashereuntosethishandandseal,andthesaid
FORMEcontinued

.........................................................hashereuntomadehismarkandsethisseal",asthecasemaybe.

Attestationwherepartyorpartiescanreadandwrite
Signed,sealedanddeliveredbythesaid..(L.S.)
Inthepresenceof....(L.S.)
AuthorisedLabourofficer
 Attestationwhereanyofthepartiesisilliterate
Themarkofthesaid.....................................................wasmadeheretoandthis
indenturewassealedanddeliveredbyhimafterthesamehadbeeninterpretedtohim
by.......................................................................(sworn)interpreter(ofthecourt)
inthe............................languagewhenheseemedfullytounderstandthesame.

Inthepresenceof.................................................................................................
AuthorisedLabourOfficer
Approved.............................................................................................................
AuthorisedLabourOfficer
.................................................20...........

FORMF
AttendanceBook

No.
.
Name.........................................................................................................................
Occupation...............................................................................................................
Dateofengagement.................................................................................................
Termofcontract.monthsfromtheabovedate

Rateofwagespermonth...........................................................................................
Rateofrationmoneyperweek...............................................................................
Nameofemployer.....................................
Monthof..............

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 11

Daysworkedduringmonth......................................................................
Wagesdueformonth.......................................................................................
Advancesmadeduringmonthandrepayableattheexpirationofcontract.........

FORMG
[Regulation48.]
 FormofLicencetorecruitNigerianWorkersforForeignService
A.B.of.
asagentfor....
isherebylicensedtorecruit
labourersinthe...............................................(State/LocalGovernment/Council)underthe
provisionsofsections3644oftheLabourAct(Cap.L1)

Thislicenceexpiresonthe.,20
Datedthis......................dayof....,20
..
President

FORMH
[Regulation48.]

PermittoengageNigerianWorkersforForeignService
A.B.of.........................................
isherebypermittedtoengagethroughanagentlicensedundersection2122...
oftheLabourActfromthe.(State/LocalGovernment/Council)
(subjecttothe..........provisionsoftheLabourAct)anynumberofnative
labourersnotexceeding...............................forservicewith.
atsuchlabourerstoembarkfrom.

Thispermitshallbeinforceforthreemonthsfromthedatehereofunlesstheabovenumberof
labourersshallhavebeenengagedunderitatanytimewithinsuchperiod,andsubjecttocancella
tionorsuspensionaccordingtolaw.

Datedthis....................................dayof..20
..
President

 FORM1

FormofRegister
Nameof Nativeof Dateof Duration Nameof Place Natureof
of where service
labourer contract employer
contract contractis
tobe
performed

*Theseregulations,madeundersection62ofActNo.Iof1929(repealedbytheLabourAct,
remaininforcebyvirtueofsection6oftheInterpretationAct,Cap.123insofarastheyarenot
inconsistentwiththatAct.

DOCKLABOUR(REGISTRATIONANDCONTROLOF
EMPLOYMENT)RULES

ARRANGEMENTOFRULES

RULE
1. Shorttitle.
2. Interpretation.
3. Registrationofdockworkersandemployers.
4. Obligationsofregistereddockworkers.
5. Obligationsofregisteredemployers.
6. Registrationofemployment.
7. Removalfromregister.
8. Wagesandconditionsofemployment.
9. Guaranteeinrespectofpreferenceworkers.
10. Unemployedregistereddockworkers.
11.Dutiesofportlabourofficer.
12.Rightofmasterandcrew.
13.Establishmentofpool.
14.Applicationofthepool.
15.Organisationofthepool.
16.Disciplinaryactionforbreach.
17.Boardandcommittee.
18.Expenses.
19.Dockworkersonpermanentestablishment.

DOCKLABOUR(REGISTRATIONANDCONTROLOF
EMPLOYMENT)RULES
[L.N.39of1967.]
undersection68

[8thMarch,1967]
[Commencement.]

1.Shorttitle
(1)TheserulesmaybecitedastheDockLabour(RegistrationandControlofEm
ployment)Rules.
(2)TheseRulesshallapplytoemployers,andtoindustrialworkersemployedasdock
workers,intheportsinNigeriatowhichtheseRulesapplyorareapplied.
(3)ThePresidentshalldeclarefromtimetotimetheportstowhichtheseRulesshall
apply.

2.Interpretation
IntheseRules,unlessthecontextotherwiserequires,thefollowingexpressionsshall
havethemeaningherebyrespectivelyassignedtothem,thatistosay

"cargo"meansmanifestedcargoandincludespassenger'sbaggage;

"dockemployer"meansapersonbywhomadockworkerisemployedortobeem
ployedandincludesastevedorelabourcontractor;

"dockwork"meansoperationsatplacesorpremisestowhichtheseRulesapply,or
dinarilyperformedbydockworkers;

"dockworker"meansapersonemployedortobeemployedin,orinthevicinityofa
portorworkconnectedwiththeloading,unloading,movementorstorageofcargoes,or
workconnectedwiththepreparationofshipsorothervesselsforthereceiptordischarge
ofcargoes,andincludespersonsengagedinitinerantdockworkoncoastalvoyages,a
tallyclerkcasuallyemployed,andasupervisor,headmanorpersonforthetimebeingin
chargeofagangofdockworkers;

"nonpreferenceworker"meansadockworkerwhosenameisforthetimebeing
enteredonthenonpreferencelistintheregister;

"PermanentSecretary"meansthePermanentSecretary,FederalMinistryofEm
ployment,LabourandProductivityandincludesanyotherofficerofthatMinistryforthe
timebeingdesignatedbyhimforthepurposesoftheseRules;
 "pool"meansacentralreserveofsuchnumberorclassordescriptionofregistered
dockworkersasthePermanentSecretarymay,fromtimetotime,determine;

"portlabourofficer"meansalabourofficer,labourinspector,assistantlabourin
spectororanyotherofficerforthetimebeingassignedbythePermanentSecretaryto
takechargeofdutiesconnectedwithdockwork;
"preferenceworker"meansadockworkerwhosenameisforthetimebeingentered
onthepreferencelistintheregister;
"President"meansthePresidentoftheFederalRepublicofNigeria;
"principal"meansashippingcompany,orshippingagency,ortheNigerianPorts
Authority;
"register"meanstheregisterofdockworkersorofdockemployersmaintainedby
theportlabourofficerinaccordancewiththeserules;
"registereddockworker"meansadockworkerwhosenameisforthetimebeing
enteredintheregisterwhetherinthepreferencelistorinthenonpreferencelist;
"registeredemployer"meansadockemployerwhosenameisforthetimebeing
enteredintheregisterofemployers.
3.Registrationofdockworkersandemployers
(1)Theportlabourofficershallregistersuchnumberofdockworkersemployedor
tobeemployedintheportorportsunderhischargeasmay,fromtimetotime,bedeter
minedbythePresident,whomaylaydownconditionsforsuchregistration.
(2)Forthepurposeofsuchregistrationadockemployershall,whenrequestedbythe
PermanentSecretarytodoso,forwardtotheportlabourofficeralistofdockworkers
employedbyhimshowing,separately,thenamesoftheworkerswhoaretobeplacedon
thepreferencelistandofthosetobeplacedonthenonpreferencelist.
(3)Thenumberofsuchregistereddockworkers,twothirdsofwhichshallbeonthe
preferencelistandonethirdonthenonpreferencelist,shallbedeterminedbythePer
manentSecretary.
(4)Nothinginparagraphs(2)and(3)ofthisruleshallpreventadockemployerfrom
transferringatanytimeanyofhisregisterednonpreferenceworkerstothepreferencelist
andtheportlabourofficermayadmitanysuchworkertothatlistontheemployer'sre
quest:
Providedthatthetotalnumberofregistereddockworkersallocatedtotheem
ployerbythePermanentSecretaryshallnotbeexceeded.
(5)Registrationofadockworkershallincludethepreparationofaregistration
documentfortheworker,whichdocumentshallcontainaphotographoftheregistered
dockworkerandanidentitycardapprovedbythePermanentSecretaryandoncomple
tionoftheregistration,theportlabourofficershallissuetheregistrationdocumenttothe
registereddockworker.
 (6)Theportlabourofficershallregistersuchnumberofdockemployersengagedor
tobeengagedindockworkintheportorportsunderhischargeasmay,fromtimeto
time,bedeterminedbythePresident,whomaylaydownconditionsforsuchregistration.
(7)Nodockemployerwhohasnotbeenregisteredinaccordancewiththeserules
shallcarryoutcontractsinvolvingtheuseofdockworkers.
4. Obligationsofregistereddockworkers
(1)Everyregistereddockworkershallbedeemedtohaveacceptedtheprovisionsof
theseRules.
(2)Aregistereddockworkershallcarryhisidentitycardatalltimeswhilstatwork
andshallproduceitfortheinspectionoftheportlabourofficer,policeofficerorNigerian
PortsAuthoritydocksuperintendentwheneverreasonablydemanded.
(3)Apreferenceworkerwhoisinformedbyhisemployerthathewillnotberequired
forworkonhisnextnormalshiftshallreporttotheportlabourofficeratthetimehe
wouldnormallyberequiredtoreportforworkandtheworkermaythenbeofferedtem
poraryworkforthatshiftwithanotherregisteredemployer.
(4)Apreferenceworkerwhoissentforworktoaregisteredemployerotherthanthe
registeredemployerwithwhomheisregisteredshallcarryouthisdutiesinaccordance
withtherulesofhistemporaryemployer.
(5)Adockworkerregisteredonthenonpreferencelistmayreporttotheportlabour
officeronanydayonwhichtheworkerisnotofferedworkbytheemployerwithwhom
heisregisteredbutsuchworkershallnotbeofferedworkuntilallpreferenceworkers
havebeenplacedinemploymentforthatday.
(6)IdentitycardsissuedasaresultoftheimplementationoftheseRulesshallremain
thepropertyoftheFederalMinistryofEmployment,LabourandProductivityandper
sonstowhomthecardsareissuedmayberequiredtosurrenderthemonreasonablede
mandoratthediscretionofthePermanentSecretary.
(7)Everyregistereddockworkerwhileinemploymentshallcarryouthisdutiesin
accordancewiththeinstructionsofhisemployerforthetimebeingandincompliance
withtheprovisionsoftheseRules.
5.Obligationsofregisteredemployers
(1)Everyregisteredemployershallbedeemedtohaveacceptedtheprovisionsof
theseRules.
(2)Aregisteredemployer
(a)shallkeepsuchrecordsasmayberequiredbytheportlabourofficer;
(b)shallfurnish,onsuchformsastheportlabourofficermayspecify,trueand
accurateinformationrelatingter
(i)thenumberofregistereddockworkersemployedbyhim;
(ii)thehoursandovertimeworkedbyhisdockworkers;
(iii)thebasicandovertimewageratespaidtohisdockworkers;
(iv)thereasonsforanyabsencefromworkofadockworker;
 (v)thenamesofhisdockworkerswhoareengagedtemporarilybyany
otherregisteredemployer;and
(vi)anyothermattersasmaybespecifiedbytheportlabourofficer.

(3)Aregisteredemployershallnotonanydayemployanydockworkeronhisnon
preferencelistuntilhehasprovidedemploymentforallthedockworkersinhisprefer
encelist,andheshallacceptfortemporaryemploymentanypreferenceworkerssubmit
tedforworkbytheportlabourofficerbeforeofferingworktoaworkeronhisnon
preferencelist.
(4)Aregisteredemployershallreportinwritingtotheportlabourofficerforfinal
decisionanydisciplinaryactioninvolvingthedismissalorsuspensionofadockworker
registeredwiththeemployerandthereportshallincludethereasonsforthedismissalor
suspension.
(5)Theportlabourofficer'sdecisiononsuchreportshallincludearulingonwhether
ornotthenameofadismisseddockworkershallberemovedfromtheregister.

6.Registrationofemployment
(1)Nopersonotherthanaregisteredemployershallbeengagedindockworkorem
ployanyworkerondockworkand,saveashereinafterprovided,aregisteredemployer
shallnotengageforemploymentoremployaworkerondockworkunlessthatworkeris
aregistereddockworker.
(2)Notwithstandingtheforegoingparagraphofthisrule,wheretheportlabouroffi
cerissatisfiedthatdockworkisurgentlyrequiredtobedoneanditisnotreasonably
practicabletoobtainaregistereddockworkerforthatwork,hemayinrespectofthat
workeitherallocatetoaregisteredemployerapersonwhoisnotaregistereddock
workerorpermitaregisteredemployerhimselftoengagesuchapersonandadock
workeremployedunderthisparagraphshallbeemployedondailybasis.
(3)NotwithstandinganyotherprovisioncontainedintheseRulesasupervisor,
headmanorpersonforthetimebeinginchargeofagangofdockworkersshallbeheld
liableforanycontraventionoftheseruleswheretheemployersatisfactorilyshowsthat
thesaidcontraventioncameaboutbythedisregardoftheemployer'sinstructionandthat
theemployerhaddoneallwithinhispowertopreventsuchcontravention.
(4)Theportlabourofficershallhavethepowertoremovefromanyplaceorplaces
towhichtheserulesapplyanunregistereddockworkeremployedwithouthisprevious
permissioninaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheseRules.
(5)Anypersonwhoobstructstheportlabourofficerinthedischargeofhisfunction
underparagraph(4)ofthisruleshallbedeemedtohavecommittedanoffenceagainstthe
LabourAct.
[Cap.L1.]

7.Removalfromregister
 (1)TheseRulesshallceasetoapplytoaregistereddockworkerwhenhisnamehas
beenremovedfromtheregisterofdockworkersinaccordancewiththeprovisionsof
theseRules.

(2)TheseRulesshallceasetoapplytoaregisteredemployerwhenhisnamehasbeen
removedfromtheregisterofemployersinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheserules.

(3)Nothinginthisruleshallaffectanyobligationincurredorrightaccruedduring
anytimewhenthepersonwasaregistereddockworkeroraregisteredemployer.
(4)ThePresidentmay,forthepurposeofsecuringgreaterregularityofemployment
ofdockworkers,canceltheregistrationofsuchnumberofdockworkersasitmay,from
timetotime,determine.

8.Wagesandconditionsofemployment
(1)Itshallbeanimpliedconditionofthecontractbetweenadockworkeravailable
forworkandaregisteredemployerthattherateofremunerationandconditionsofservice
shallbeinaccordancewiththelawandinaccordancewithanylocalornationalcollec
tiveagreementsforthetimebeinginforce.
(2)Aregisteredemployershallpaywagesorotherremunerationfortheservicesofa
dockworkerdirecttothedockworkerandnosuchwagesorremunerationshallbepaid
throughasupervisor,headmanoranypersoninchargeofagangofdockworkers.
9.Guaranteeinrespectofpreferenceworkers
(1)Apreferenceworkerwhoreportsfordutyoneachdayofthemonthattheplace
andtimedesignatedbytheregisteredemployerorwhoreportstotheportlabourofficer
afterbeinginformedthatworkwillnotbeavailableforthenextnormalshiftshallbe
guaranteed,bytheemployer,employmentforfifteendaysineachcalendarmonthora
sumofmoneywhich,whencalculatedonpieceworkortimeworkandovertimeorbo
nus,isnotlessthanfifteendays'payatthecurrentdailyratesfordockworkers.
(2)Theguaranteereferredtoinsubrule(1)ofthisruleshallapplyinrespectofpref
erenceworkersonlyandshallnotapplytodockworkersonthenonpreferencelist.
(3)Theguaranteereferredtoinsubrule(1)ofthisruleshallnotapply

(a) duringanymonthorcomparablepayperiodinwhichpreferenceworkersvol
untarilywithdrawtheirservices,whetherinpursuanceofatradedisputeor
otherwise;or
(b) whereapreferenceworkerabsentshimselfwithouttheapprovalofhisem
ployerorrefusestoacceptworkofferedhimbyhisregisteredemployer,or,on
havingbeenallocatedtoatemporaryemployerbytheportlabourofficerhere
fusessuchtemporaryemployment.
(4)Whenapreferenceworkeroranonpreferenceworkerhasbeenallocatedbythe
portlabourofficerfortemporaryemploymentwitharegisteredemployerotherthanthe
employerwithwhomheisregistered,theremunerationduetothedockworkerforthis
temporaryworkshallbepaidtohimbytheemployertemporarilyusinghisservices.
 (5)Theregularemployershallbeinformedbytheportlabourofficerwhenevera
preferenceworkerisplacedwithanotherregisteredemployerfortemporaryworkandthe
regularemployershallcreditthedockworkerwitheachsuchday'sworkandshallhave
therighttodeductsuchdaysoftemporaryemploymentfromthenumberofdaysworked
orremunerationguaranteedbytheemployerundertheserules.
(6)Aregisteredemployershallnot,withouttheapprovalofthePermanentSecretary,
refusetoofferworktoadockworkerallocatedtohimbytheportlabourofficer.

(7)NotwithstandinganythingcontainedintheseRules,adockworkershallbeenti
tledtobepaidforeachdayheisemployedduringanycalendarmonthoranycomparable
period.
10.Unemployedregistereddockworkers
(1)Whereinaccordancewithrule4(3)oftheseRulesapreferenceworker,whois
informedbyhisemployerthathewillnotberequiredforworkonhisnextnormalshift,
reportstotheportlabourofficer,thatofficershallenterthenameandtheregistration
numberofthepreferenceworkerinadailyregisterandtheemployerunderwhomthe
workerisregisteredshallbeinformedastowhetherornottheworkerhasbeenallocated
temporarywork.
(2)Ifapreferenceworkersoreportingisnotallocatedtemporaryworkheshallre
mainattheportlabourofficeuntildismissedbytheportlabourofficer.

11.Dutiesofportlabourofficer

SubjecttotheprovisionsoftheseRules,theportlabourofficershallperformsuch
dutiesasmay,infurtheranceoftheobjectsoftheserules,beassignedtohim,fromtime
totime,bythePermanentSecretary.
12.Rightofmasterandcrew
NothingintheseRulesshallpreventthemasterandthecrewofanyvesselinanyport
inNigeriafromundertakingworkinconnectionwiththepreparationoftheirvesselfor
thereceiptordischargeofcargo,shipstoresorballastbyhoistingthevessel'sderricks
andriggingthemfordischargingorloading;uncoveringthevessel'sholds;havingdun
nageorotherwisepreparingthevesseltoreceiveortodischargecargo.
13.Establishmentofpool
(1)Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofrules1to12oftheseRulesthePresidentmay,
asandwhenheconsidersitnecessary,setupapoolinanyplace.
(2)If,asrespectsanyplacewhereapoolhasbeensetup,anyoftheprovisionsof
rules3to12oftheseRulesisinconsistentwithanyoftheprovisionsofrules13to16of
theseRules,theprovisionsofrules13to16oftheseRulesshallprevailandtheprovi
sionsofrules3to12oftheseRulesshall,totheextentofsuchinconsistency,beinapplic
abletothatplace.

14.Applicationofthepool
Thepoolshallapplytosuchnumberorclassordescriptionofregistereddockworkersasmay,fromtime

totime,bedeterminedbythePresidentandtoregisteredemployers

andprincipalsengagedondockworkinanyportinNigeria.

15.Organisationofthepool
(1)Everyregisteredemployershallnotifytheportlabourofficer,onprescribedform,
ofthenumberofdockworkersherequiresforworkandsuchnotificationshallbesentto
reachtheportlabourofficernotlessthan24hoursbeforethetimetheemployerrequires
theworkerstocommencework.

(2)Allunemployedregistereddockworkersshallreportdailyatsuchplacesandat
suchtimeasmaybedeterminedbytheportlabourofficer.
(3)Noregisteredemployershallemployadockworkerotherthanadockworkeral
locatedtohimbytheportlabourofficerandnoregistereddockworkershallworkfora
registeredemployerwithoutbeingallocatedbytheportlabourofficertotheemployer.
(4)Forthepurposeofthepool,aregisteredemployertowhomadockworkerhas
beenallocatedbytheportlabourofficerforworkshallbedeemedforthetimebeingto
betheemployerofsuchdockworker,andtheregisteredemployershallberesponsible
forthewages,overtimepayandotherlegalobligationsarisingfromthecontractofserv
ice.
(5)Registereddockworkersinthepoolshallhavenoclaimtopaymentofguaranteed
wages.
(6)Notwithstandingtheprovisionofrule8(2)oftheseRules,thePresidentmaypre
scribethemannerinwhichwagesorotherremunerationshallbepaidtoadockworker.
(7)Thisruleshallapplywhereapoolhasbeensetup.

16.Disciplinaryactionforbreach
(1)Aregistereddockworkerinapoolwhofailstocarryouthisdutiesinaccordance
withtheseRulesorfailstocomplywithanylawfulordersgiventohimbyhisemployer
orbytheportlabourofficerorisinefficientornegligentinthedischargeofhisdutiesor
absentshimselffromdutywithoutpermissionoracceptablereason,ormisconductshim
selfintheportlabourofficeorportlabourcalloffice,maybesuspendedfromdutyfora
periodnotexceedingfourteendaysforeachfault,ormayhavehisregistrationcancelled,
bythePermanentSecretary.
(2)AnydockemployerwhofailstocarryoutanyoftheprovisionsoftheseRules
shallbedeemedtohavecommittedanoffenceagainsttheLabourAct.
[Cap.L1.]
(3)Anyheadmanorpersoninchargeofagangofdockworkerswhofailstocarry
outhisdutiesinaccordancewiththeseRulesmaybesuspendedfromdutyforaperiod
notexceedingfourteendaysinrespectofeachdayforwhichthecontraventioniscom
mitted,ormayhavehisregistrationcancelled,bythePermanentSecretary.
(4)Aregistereddockworkerwhocontravenestheprovisionsoftherulesforwhich
nospecialpenaltyhasbeenprovidedmaybesuspendedfromdutyforaperiodnotex
ceedingfourteendaysinrespectofeachcontravention,ormayhavehisregistrationcan
celled,bythePermanentSecretary.
 (5)AnyprincipalwhofailstocarryoutanyoftheprovisionsoftheseRulesshallbe
deemedtohavecommittedanoffenceagainsttheLabourAct.
[Cap.L1.]
(6)Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofsubrule(2)ofthisrule,wherearegistered
employerfailstocarryoutanyoftheprovisionsoftheseRuleshisnamemayberemoved
fromtheregisterofemployersaftersevendays'noticeinwritingservedonhimbythe
PermanentSecretaryandwherethenameissoremoveditshallnotbereinstatedintheregisterof
employerswithintwelvemonthsofsuchremovalorsuchlesserperiodasthe
PermanentSecretarymaydetermine.
17.Boardandcommittee
ThePresidentmayappointaboard,committeeorotherconsultativebodyforthepur
poseofprovidingsuchinformationoradvicegenerallyasmaybenecessaryforcarrying
outtheobjectsoftheseRules.
18.Expenses
ThePresidentmayprescribethemannerinwhichanyexpensesincurredortobein
curredintheapplicationoftheseRulesshallbedefrayed.
19.Dockworkersonpermanentestablishment
(1)NotwithstandingtheprovisionsoftheseRules,aregisteredemployerorprincipal
mayemploydockworkersonpermanentestablishment.
(2)ImmediatelyaftertheapplicationoftheseRulesinanyport,aregisteredem
ployerorprincipalinthatportshallforwardtotheportlabourofficerforregistrationa
listofthedockworkersemployedonhispermanentestablishmentandshallnotifythe
portlabourofficerofanychangesinthelistastheyoccur.
(3)Aregisteredemployerorprincipalshallforwardtotheportlabourofficer,asand
whenrequired,informationrelatingtowages,salaries,overtime,holiday,sicknessand
othermattersregardingthedockworkersonhispermanentestablishment.
(4)Theprovisionsofrule4(2)oftheseRulesshallapplytodockworkersonperma
nentestablishment.
(5)Beforeremovingadockworkerwhoisonpermanentestablishmenthisregistered
employerorprincipalshallwithdrawtheregistrationdocumentofthedockworkerand
forwardittotheportlabourofficer.
(6)Adockworkeronpermanentestablishmentshallforthwithafterleavinghisreg
isteredemployerorprincipalreturnhisregistrationdocumenttotheportlabourofficer.
(7)Anydockworkeronpermanentestablishmentwhofailstocarryouttheprovi
sionsofthisruleshallbedeemedtohavecommittedanoffenceagainsttheAct.

DOCKLABOUR(REGISTRATIONANDCONTROLOFEMPLOYMENT)
RULES(APPLICATION)DECLARATION

ARRANGEMENTOFRULES

RULE
1. PortstowhichtheRulesapply.
2. Shorttitle.
 DOCKLABOUR(REGISTRATIONANDCONTROLOFEMPLOYMENT)
RULES(APPLICATION)DECLARATION
[S.I.15of1971.]
underrule1(3)ofL.N.39of1967

[1stApril,1971]
[Commencement.]
1. PortstowhichtheRulesapply
TheDockLabour(RegistrationandControlofEmployment)Rulesshallapplytothe
portsofWarri,PortHarcourtandCalabar.
2.Shorttitle
ThisdeclarationmaybecitedastheDockLabour(RegistrationandControlofEm
ployment)Rules(Application)Declaration.