ILO applauds N30,000 minimum wage agreement reached with organised labour

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has commended Nigeria on the N30,000 national minimum wage agreement reached with the Organised Labour.

ILO gave the commendation, even as the Federal Government assured that it was committed to the standards set by the ILO on labour practice, social protection and equal opportunity for all, regardless of social status.

The Chief of the Employment and Labour Branch of the ILO, Geneva, Ms Sukti Dasgupta, who led a team of ILO officials to Nigeria from Geneva, Switzerland, gave the commendation during a meeting with the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Prof Stephen Ocheni, in Abuja.

According to a statement issued and signed by the Director (Press), Ministry of Labour and Employment, Prince Samuel Olowookere, Ms Dasgupta, congratulated Nigerians on the recent agreement reached with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the National Minimum Wage which was agreeable to all.

She also commended the country on the National Employment Policy which she acknowledged was well drafted and enjoined the present administration to ensure effective implementation of the policy.

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According to Dasgupta, Africa needs empowerment and more intervention in the areas of Youth Employment, hence ILO focuses on Nigeria to host the Global Youth Employment Forum.

Responding, the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Prof Stephen Ocheni assured the ILO team of Nigerian Government total commitment to adhere to ILO ethics on international standards.

Prof Ocheni said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria is totally committed to the adherence of ILO’s ethics on international standards of labour practice, social protection and equal opportunity for all Nigerians; either women, men, disable and other components of the society.”