President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has advised the incoming administration on the need to respect workers rights as enshrined in International Labour Organisation (ILO) declarations on labour matters.
Buhari stated this during the 2023 Workers Day celebration on Monday in Abuja with the theme; “Workers Rights and Socio-Economic Justice’’.
He noted that Nigeria, being a viable member state of the ILO and a connoisseur of workers’ rights, had ratified all the core conventions of the organisation by guarding and promoting rights at work.
Buhari, who was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, hinted that in June 1998, ILO made a declaration to establish a social minimum at the global level in order to respond to the realities of globalisation.
“Hence, the birth of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in 1998, and amended in 2022, as an expression by the tripartite body of the ILO-government-employers’ and workers’ organisations.
“This is to uphold basic human values regarded as vital to socio-economic lives by affirming to respect five broad categories of workers’ rights at work that embodies more than nine conventions,’’ Buhari added.
The rights include Freedom of Association and the Effective Recognition of the Right to Collective Bargaining, Elimination of all forms of Forced or Compulsory Labour, and Effective Abolition of Child Labour.
Others are Elimination of Discrimination in respect of Employment and Occupation, and Safe and Healthy Working Environment.
The President hinted that all the rights and obligations in the world of work, and the linkages between worker’s rights and socio-economic justice have been identified and made a declaration by the ILO.
He disclosed that workers’ rights in addition to socio-economic justice, form the basis for a happy workplace.
Buhari stated that a fair economic structure, targeted at creating opportunities for all to succeed irrespective of sex, race, ethnicity, age, disability, creed and religion is crucial for progress and development.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, stated that the Nigerian government recognised the importance of workers, and is committed to creating the right environment for them to thrive.
He said that the Federal Government had adopted several measures to support workers such as the review and increase of the National Minimum Wage in 2019, and institutionalising its review automatically every five years as contained in the Act.
The minister noted that the government had provided better working conditions and environment, invested in training and re-training, education and human capacity development for workers.
Ngige said that despite the impact on workplace, more things needed to be done to improve the lives of Nigerian workers.
“We acknowledge the fact that many Nigerian workers continue to face significant challenges, including low take home pay, lack of job security, and unsatisfactory working conditions.
“We are committed to addressing these issues and creating a more favourable environment for Nigerian workers to thrive.
“The solution to these challenges will not come overnight, but as work in progress. These have been top priorities on the agenda of the outgoing administration,’’ Ngige added.
The minister pleaded with the incoming government to create a work plan for addressing the issues as governance is a continuous process.
He was optimistic that the new administration would enhance workers welfare in line with the developmental blueprint of the All Progressives Party (APC).
While remembering millions of workers that had dedicated their lives to building and sustaining Nigeria, he assured that the government would continue to work with the two labour centres to create an environment that would support the aspirations of Nigerian workers.
He promised that government would continously invest in all aspects of education, from primary to secondary, technical, tertiary and skills development, as well as create opportunities for young people and support small and medium-sized enterprises.
Ngige called on labour leaders to consolidate on the mileage already covered by the Federal Government in the last eight years.
He enjoined them to eschew acrimony, factionalism, selfishness, and develop spirit of cooperation and social dialogue, rather than confrontation, aggression and unnecessary industrial actions with employers.
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