In readiness for the 106th Session of of the International Labour Conference (ILC), holding in Geneva, Switzerland, the Nigeria tripartite group: the organised Labour represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Federal Government and the organised private sector, represented by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), held a pre-ILC interactive session to harmonise their thoughts and presentations before the session kicks off in June.
The 106th Session of the ILC opens at the United Nations (UN) House, Geneva on Monday June 5, 2017, and ends on Friday June 16, 2017. The representation of Nigeria as a member state of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has been recognised over the years at the ILC.
This, has however, necessitated the two-day interactive session for Nigeria delegation to the ILC. The aim is to ensure that Nigeria presents a common position at the world stage.
Speaking at the meeting, the Director, ILO Country Office in Nigeria and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, Dennis Zulu, said the gathering was the first time all the constituents in Nigeria are coming together to deliberate on issues that are germane to Nigeria as a nation.
According to him, the interactive session is a clear attestation to what social dialogue is capable of doing in industrial relations.
“An interactive meeting of this nature calls for speaking and listening, disagreeing and agreeing, exchange of knowledge and information, and sharing of suggestions and experiences all for the purpose of reaching a common and acceptable objective,” he said.
He also pointed out that this kind of interaction is beneficial to all the parties “if we have respect for one another’s views and operate within agreed guiding rules.”
According to him, there is no doubt that there are issues that are of concern to employers just as there are issues that are of concern to workers as well as government.
“Despite these differences, I will be most delighted to see all the partners take a common position on issues that would benefit Nigerians at large. I also wish to use this opportunity to call on the constituents to see this meeting as an opportunity to carry out self-appraisal with a view to repositioning Nigeria to face the challenges of the time.”
Zulu pointed out that some of the issues to be discussed at the 106th session of the ILC, include labour migration, employment and decent work for peace and resilience, review of the strategy objective of fundamental principles and rights at work.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said preparation is required even more from labour (workers) than the two other two tripartite (government and employers), because workers are the people at the receiving end.
Therefore, he added that, the organised labour, must continue to canvas for issues of decent work, social protection, and more importantly the applications of international Labour standards for the beneficiary of workers.
“This is yet an opportunity for us to equip ourselves and be active participants at the ILC. We hope we will maximise the opportunity provided by NLC to acquire more knowledge and new skills. And it is very important we participate because effective participation has been our problem over the years.”
The Minster of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, declared that over the years, Nigeria has always enjoyed the support of ILO as partner in progress, seeking better ways to implement ILO Conventions and Guidelines.
Ngige, who was represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Abiola Bawa, said the ILO has always risen to every occasion and provided not just technical support to the Ministry in ensuring that we are able to meet our social obligations to our various stakeholders.