Nigeria has pledged continued commitment to promoting social justice and equality for sustainable development.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and leader of Nigeria’s delegation, Ms Kachollom Daju, mni, made the pledge at the 111th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), holding from 5th – 16th June, 2023, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Daju stated out that “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.”
Daju 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.”
According to her, “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.”
She disclosed that Plans 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.”
Daju added 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.
She further stated that “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.”
Daju declared that Nigeria’s commitment to developing “an inclusive democratic state and a just society, with focus and main priority on human rights, including labour rights, consistent enhancement of decent work and real income, improving the system of social protection, ensuring gender equality while developing our vast youthful demographic to the fullest.”
Earlier, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, had called for social justice and equality to fight growing economic disparities worldwide.
Olajide Oshundun,
Director, Press and Public Relations
