After several years in operation, Nigeria’s extant labour laws are on the table for a review. Aside eliminating laws considered obsolete and no longer in tune with modern reality, the review will also seek to introduce new laws to comprehensively address issues of sexual harassment in work places, child-labour, health as well as occupational safety at work.
Other areas to be affected in the labour review are restructuring of existing institutions like the Industrial Arbitration Panel, (IAP), National Labour Advisory Council, (NLAC), and the office of the Registrar of Trade Union to ensure better and effective performance.
To ensure a broad based review, the Federal Government is working with its social partners- which include the organised labour- represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), employers of labour, represented by Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
According to the federal ministry of labour and employment, the law review would ultimately enthrone international best practice in labour administration and decent work in Nigeria.
At a retreat in Lagos kick-starting the process, Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, said the review falls in line with the ILO’s recent launch of Nigeria Declaration Project (NIDEC), which aims at to promoting democracy through fundamental principles of people’s rights at work.
The laws when reviewed will also strengthen local capacity to adopt a tripartite approach to the resolution of labour issues through social dialogue.
Ngige said bills would also be introduced to deal with labour migration, promotion of gender equality, occupational safety and health.
“Like all labour legislation crafted in line with international labour standards, it is expected that the bills to be developed for enactment will promote right of work, encourage development opportunities for women and men in conditions of freedom, equity, security of human dignity and enhanced social protection for Nigerian workers,” said Ngige.
Ayuba Wabba, president of the NLC, said in reviewing the extant labour laws, it was important to consider new laws that protect and promote the rights of the most vulnerable workers, women, children, young people and those living with one form of disability or another.
“In very specific terms, this labour laws review would meet the expectations of millions of our people if we are able to firm the right of the ordinary worker to adequate compensation in the case of work-related injury, and termination of employment. We would also be demonstrating affinity to the cause of workers and employers if we amend relevant sections in our labour laws to ensure the protection of workers from victimisation due to involvement in trade union activities.”
Wabba also raised the need to institutionalise tripartism and social dialogue in Nigeria in conformity with ILO Convention 144, and particularly lauded the proposal to establish National Labour Council, saying it would improve the overall industrial relations climate in the country.
JOSHUA BASSEY
