By Benita Ayo
In recent times, we have witnessed unprecedented changes to the existing principles of the common law relating to the employer. An employer is a person or an individual or an organisation in the government, private, nonprofit or business sector that hires and pays people for their work.
The Chief Statutory Provision regulating employment relationships in Nigeria is the Nigerian Labour Act. Now, contained in the Labour Act is a body of Rights and duties which an employer is both entitled to and owes his employees.
Rights of the Employer
The rights of the employer include;
- Right to hire
- Right to fire
Duties of the Employer
A duty is an obligation owed by one person to another. The employer’s duties to his employees include the following;
- Duty to provide work
- Duty to pay agreed wages
- Duty to take care of Employee’s safety
- Duty to Indemnify the Employee
- Duty to conduct medical exams of employees to ensure that they are fit for work
- Duty to provide a written contract of Employment
Consequences of Failure to perform his Duties
Where an employer fails to perform his duties as required by the Law, the employer becomes liable and can be sued by the employee for remedy.
The appropriate court having jurisdiction over labour-related disputes in Nigeria is the National Industrial Court.
You may contact me via the under-listed channels for further consultations on the following services;
- Employment grievance counselling/settlement Negotiations
- Employment Contract drafting/Review/Advisory
- Legal Representations (Court Appearances)
- Any other Employment related matters
WhatsApp: +2348063775768
Email: [email protected]
Benita Ayo is a Seasoned Corporate Commercial Counsel with over 9 years post-call experience. She has handled myriads of briefs in Corporate/Commercial, Employment Law as well as Property Transactional Practice
