ILO commends Nigeria for ratifying two labour standard conventions

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has eulogized the Nigeria government for the ratification of two international labour standard Conventions C187 (2006) which deals with the Promotional Framework on Occupational Safety and Health, and C190 (2019); Violence and Harassment.

ILO Director General, Gilbert Houngbo, who showered encomium on Nigeria in Geneva, Switzerland, during the presentation of two ratified Conventions by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, to the Governing Body of the organisation on Tuesday, said the ratification of both conventions by Nigeria in one year, demonstrates the exemplary commitment of President Buhari to the enthronement of decent work and elimination of violence in work places.

He went on to say that Nigeria was the first African nation to join the ILO, and further commended the country’s leading role. He also pledging ILO’s more technical assistance to enable Nigeria make more progress in the world of work.

A press statement signed by the Ministry of Labour’s Deputy Director Press and Public Relations, Mr Olajide Oshundun, quoted that Ngige had earlier in his speech, commended the new Director General on his assumption of office , described his election as historic being the first African to occupy the position. And added that it was a new chapter in the leadership history of the world body, remarking that his leadership of the ILO at this period in world history was significant in many ways.

“You have come on board when the fragile recovery from the global COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying unpredictable impact of climate change coupled with the current disruption of food and energy supply and other supply chains, surging overwhelming global inflation, crises arising from the hostility between Russia and Ukraine have all cumulatively engendered and triggered full-blown global recession.

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“Secondly, providence had prepared you to steer the ship of the world of work through these turbulent and challenging times having made you serve this body in previous administration as one of the Deputy Director Generals.

“It is in the light of these development that Nigeria pledge her support and commitment to the success of your administration as it relates to the ILO global coalition for social justice and the renewed call for a new social contract. Nigeria will continue to support your effort at ensuring that the ILO’s normative system at work and for social justice is sustained.

“It is also in furtherance of this our shared commitment to protect Africa’s largest workforce against occupational injuries, diseases and even death at work; and the determination to create a work space based on human dignity, respect and right at work, freedom from violence and harassment that prompted the Nigerian Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR to after due consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers and all relevant stakeholders to ratify the two conventions, which we are depositing the instruments today.”

The statement further said that the Labour Minister on the two conventions which Nigeria ratified and deposited , Ngige further said, “key amongst the features of Convention No.190 that inspired government’s attention is Gender-Based Violence (GBV) which is one of the most prevalent, yet hidden human rights violations, and which constitutes a primary barrier to achieving gender equality, particularly in the World of Work.

“Gender based violence stands as an impediment towards realizing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 5 and 8 on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, and Decent Work and Economic Growth respectively which fall directly within the purview of ILO’s mandate.”

It noted that Ngige added that necessary processes to ensure the effective domestication and implementation of these Conventions have commenced, noting that the measures include but not limited to declaration of State of Emergence by the Nigeria Governors Forum on Gender-Based Violence; inauguration of Inter-ministerial Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, Senate approval of the Sexual Harassment Bill in furtherance of the legislative agenda to protect women’s rights; a formal signing of agreement by the Nigeria Police, National Human Rights Commission and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to join forces to combat the menace .

The Minister also remarked that the deposit of the two ratified conventions was historic in that is the first time the current administration would ratify two conventions within a year, adding that it has brought to 42 , the number ILO conventions already ratified by Nigeria .

“More ratifications are on the way, especially those on Labour Migration and its supplementary conventions; and Private Employment Agency Convention N0. 181, which are the topical contemporary issues in the world of work today, and these conventions will hopefully come up for deposition on or before the next the Governing Body session in March 2023.

He said their ratifications have been approved by the Nigerian Federal Executive Council. Ngige further called on the Director General to assess and collaborate with Nigeria through the Abuja country Office in identifying gaps for technical assistance in the development, improvement and implementation of required national policies and programmes on all conventions ratified by Nigeria.