ABUJA – (Labour and Employment Ministry Report) – The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ibukun Odusote has expressed the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari – led administration to the promotion of healthy working conditions for Nigerian workers in line with International Labour Standards.
The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director of Human Resources Management in the Ministry, Ibrahim Ajibola made the assertion while declaring open a three-day workshop on ‘Report Rendition on International Labour Organisation (ILO) Unratified Conventions and Recommendations’ held in Abuja on Thursday February 21st 2019. She emphasized that the Federal Government recognises that stable and harmonious industrial relations climate and decent work for all are critical instruments for realising the goals and targets of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in terms of job creation, improved livelihoods and sustainable development in Nigeria.
“I wish to emphasise that the effective implementation or application of International Labour Standards and prompt reporting on them is recognised as one of the best strategies for strengthening labour administration and promoting decent work world – over. The Federal Government recognises that a stable and harmonious industrial relations climate and decent work for all are critical instruments for the realisation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,” she noted.
Ibukun Odusote urged participants to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the workshop as the task of reports rendition was not an easy one. She added that the responses to be compiled by the various Ministries, Department and Agencies as well as the social partners gathered there will go a long way in charting the way forward with regards to current and emergent trends and employment arrangements. She stressed that these have gained great relevance with the transformation of the world of work as a result of globalisation.
She later acknowledged that the Ministry is aware that some of them will be reporting on Unratified Conventions for the first time. She also indicated that the workshop was directed at developing and strengthening the capacity of focal persons within the Ministries and Social Partners to effectively report on ILO Unratified Conventions. Odusote enjoined them to seize the opportunity and utilize it to their full advantage.
Speaking earlier, the Director of Productivity Measurement and Labour Standards, Eyewumi Neburagho in his remarks inferred that the workshop was aimed at developing the capacity of focal officers to know the relevance of effective reporting of ILO instruments. Eyewumi expressed the belief that if the objective is met, Nigeria’s reports would be developed according to international best standards.
In their separate remarks, the representatives of the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) – Adewale Oyerinde; Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) – Benson Upah and Trade Union Congress (TUC) – Musa Lawal appreciated the Ministry for the opportunity and pledge which the unalloyed support of the social partners offers to the efforts at ensuring prompt report rendition to the International Labour Organisation
