Nigeria says it is committed to developing an inclusive democratic State and just society.
To achieve this, it will focus on human rights, including labour rights, consistent enhancement of decent work and real income, improving the system of social protection and ensuring gender equality while developing the nation’s vast youthful demographic to the fullest.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ms Kachollom Daju, made the pledge on Wednesday in Geneva Switzerland, while addressing the General Assembly of the 111th Session of the International Labour Conference ILC.
The ILC is the annual gathering of the over one hundred and eighty member countries of the International Labour Organisation ILO.
The Permanent Secretary, who is also the Leader of the Nigerian delegation to the Conference, also pledged that Nigeria will continue to promote social justice and equality for sustainable development.
According to her, “Injustice and persistent inequality where workers are subjected to unsafe, unhealthy and unfair practices does not inspire sustainable development.
“To address these, the National Policy on Occupational Safety and Health was recently revised to give full effect to government’s intervention in this regard.
“We are currently updating our Future of Work Report to align with the ILO Centenary Declaration, the Abidjan Declaration, as well as the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, as amended,” she said.
Daju also stated that Nigeria remained committed to the provision of gainful employment that delivers fair income, security in the work places as well as social protection for all categories of its citizens while offering opportunities for personal development and social integration under the atmosphere of freedom and popular participation for women and men.
“Our commitment was manifestly drafted in our second Decent Work Country Programme 2015-2018. We are waiting for the commencement of our third phase with technical support from the ILO Abuja Office.”
Plans, she disclosed were at an advanced stage to commence necessary process towards the ratification of ILO Convention No. 102 on Social Security (Minimum Standards) to bring the total number of ratified ILO Conventions to 45.
She said that Nigeria was also focused on several intervention programmes on social protection to ensure the non-erosion of the pre-COVID-19 gains on the country’s Social Protection Floors, as well as to cushion the effects of the emerging global challenges.
“We continuously engage with our constituents and development partners towards strengthening our legal and institutional framework to deliver on our expectations with regards to our avowed respect for the fundamental principles and rights at work, provision of full productive and freely chosen employment, social and labour protection, and social dialogue and tripartite institutions.”
Earlier, the ILO Director-General, Gilbert Houngbo, called for social justice and equality to fight growing economic disparities worldwide.
The one hundred and eleventh Conference of the International Labour Conference of the ILO opened in Geneva Switzerland on Monday 5th June and will run till 16th June 2023.
PIAK
