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There is nothing more comforting for workers than knowing that their children and elderly relatives are being properly cared for.
In Europe, care, especially for young children and the elderly, is one of the fastest growing sectors.
The world body, in a report on care at work, highlighted the benefits of investing in care services and policies to alleviate poverty, promote gender equality and support care for children and the elderly.
The new report, titled 'Care at Work: Investing in Care Leave and Services for a More Gender Equal World of Work', also highlighted the need to balance work with care which is essential for societies and economies prosper and to significantly reduce gaps in care services.
The ILO's Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Work Maternity and Family Protection Specialist, Laura Addati, in the report, revealed that paid care work is an important source of employment, especially for women. women.
She said the care workforce represents more than eight percent of total employment of 12 million workers.
With its potential in job creation, he raised the need to strengthen social dialogue and the consultation process to develop a better system and mechanism on the important agenda.
Taking a look at the sector in Nigeria, the operators urged the Federal Government to shed light on the care service, stating that legislation is required to ensure compliance with the rules, as well as to regulate the conduct of care providers.
Noting that the care economy is growing as demand for child and elderly care increases in all regions, Arrowshot Care Solutions Chief Executive Officer Dapo Olugbodi said his organization stands ready to work with the Nigerian government to provide legislation for the care industry in Nigeria.
According to him, there are 15 basic standards of care that professionals in the care industry must meet.
He urged industry operators to focus on strong adherence to ethical standards in the performance of their duties.
He said these are primarily due to the duties of the life care industry and as a result a strong focus on professionalism should be the standard.
Care jobs are often low paid, physically and emotionally demanding, with heavy workloads carried out in unsafe conditions, inadequate training and poor career prospects and, in some extreme cases, in conditions close to slavery.
While caregivers are often underpaid, care is expensive for those who have to pay out of pocket.
Over the years, society has more or less accepted as a norm the arbitrary interruption of the academic calendar in federal universities through strike actions by professors under the umbrella of the Union of Academic Staff of Universities (ASUU). In fact, it is rare to find a student who completed a college degree through a federal university on time without strikes, which has continued to affect victims in many ways. It could be said that the federal universities have been characterized by the strike: this characteristic is harmful, counterproductive and unacceptable.
There are numerous ways in which the strikes have negatively affected students, notably by depriving many of the opportunity to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, considering that the set '30 years' is independent of circumstance. , be it delays in admission, strikes or other reasons. . NYSC only looks at the date of birth, and it is a wish of all young students to participate in the scheme.
The rent for off-campus accommodation paid by the students runs independently of the strike. Beyond this, many have ended up as deserters after some prolonged strike, particularly due to depression or distracted by one commitment or another. It also works terribly against young job seekers. For example, many have ended up graduating after the year stipulated by employers due to strikes. These show that defenseless students suffer terribly from strikes, and being a stratum of society, suffers ultimately.
Addressing this oversight has become urgent in view of the ongoing trauma faced by victims and society at large whenever strike action is imposed. Meritfully, National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) Judge PI Hamman on 21 September 2022 in a lawsuit between FGN/Minister of Education v Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) asserted that "the amount of damages caused to the nation's education sector and public university students as a result of the strike is irreparable, and compensation cannot adequately address the loss."
Naturally, whenever people or institutions coexist there will be conflicts, and that is why there are laws that regulate operations. Adding to the ugly situation, on November 16, 2022, Education Minister Adamu Adamu stressed that the government only pays for services rendered, so striking ASUU workers should not expect wages when off duty. against the rules of public service. Is the Federal Government right or wrong?
Firstly, 'no work, no pay' is a norm all over the world, in both the public and private sectors. And a monthly contribution is a combination of all allowances, such as transportation, housing, services, etc. So, if you are deliberately and illegally absent from service, is it justifiable, prudent to approve or receive, let's split it up, allowances for services not rendered, transportation without movement, etc? The no work, no pay policy operates in all weathers... US, UK, Europe and Asia. In International Labor Organization (ILO) principles, while workers have the right to go on strike, it also supports employers to withhold payment of any wages or compensation to striking workers to prevent the company from going on strike. withered
In the Commercial Disputes Act Cap T8, Nigerian Federation Laws, 2004, which regulates all unions including ASUU, Section 43 makes a special provision regarding payment of wages during strikes and lockouts: (1 ) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Law or in any other law – (a) “when a worker takes part in a strike, he shall not be entitled to any salary or other remuneration for the period of the strike, and said period shall not count for The effects of computing the period of continuous employment and all rights dependent on the continuity of employment will be affected accordingly.
In the First Schedule (2) supra, “Essential services” is defined as “any service established, provided or maintained by the Government of the Federation or a state, by a local government council, or by any municipal or statutory authority, or by individuals. company." This includes all unions approved by the government, including ASUU. In article 41, a 15-day notice is essential by workers in essential services before cessation of work.
Section 3 provides for the obligation to deposit collective agreements with the Minister of Labour. Subsection 1 establishes: “Where there is a collective agreement for the settlement of a labor dispute, the parties must deposit at least three copies of said agreement with the Minister: (a) in the case of a collective agreement entered into on or after the date of entry into force of this Law, within the thirty days following that; and (b) in the case of a collective agreement entered into on or after the effective date of this Law, within the term prescribed in the previous provisions of this subsection, shall be guilty of a crime…..”.
In addition, the Act in Section 8 empowers the Minister to appoint a conciliator for the purpose of settling the dispute, as well as authorizing in Section 17, for a direct referral to the National Industrial Court in a futile settlement. As a control, Section 6 provides for notification of the dispute if not amicably resolved after seven days to the Minister by either party in writing within three days after the end of the seven days for further specific action.
The aforementioned Section 17 states: “If in the case of any commercial dispute of which you have received a report under Section 6 of this Act, it appears to the Minister: (a) that the dispute is one to which the workers employed in any essential service they are having a party; or (b) – that in the circumstances of the case referral of the dispute to an arbitration tribunal would not be appropriate, then within seven days of receipt by him of a report under Section 8(5) of this Law, the Minister shall refer the conflict to the National Labor Court”.
In other words, these are statutory duties, and these laws are the responsibility of Dr. Chris Ngige as Minister of Labor and Employment. Unfortunately, his actions are apparently misinterpreted, leading the beleaguered teachers to demand his head. Legally, the word 'shall' has the connotation of 'must'... therefore it is mandatory for the Minister to act accordingly, including referring him to the NICN.
Instructively, ASUU is a registered union and cannot be above the Law, so it should digest the Labor Laws rather than take personal statutory issues against a brainy Ngige in a bout. One can be a teacher in some disciplines but this is a question of Labor Conflicts, their Laws, applications and operations.
Onyema, LLM, a former student at the University of East London, wrote from Lagos.
NAN) Mr Jean Bakole, Regional Director of the UN Industrial Organisation (UNIDO) says that production of quality products remains key to the sustenance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Bakole made the statement on Thursday at the 2nd project awareness dissemination event of strengthening the capacities of local to produce high quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and healthcare-related products, held in Lagos.
He said that the objective of the project was to ensure that MSMEs produced high quality products and also remained in business.
The UNIDO chief added that the project was also to ensure that the future of young people was secured, noting that MSMEs were crucial in economic growth.
”MSMEs constitute a big pillar in which any economy can stand, and production of quality products is important.
“We would like to see the ownership of the MSMEs grow beyond local consumption and also link them to international markets.
“About 162 MSMEs were selected for this project out of about 5,000 that applied and we are working to see the number of products to help project the products.
“We need to think outside the box in order to help the MSMEs.”
Bakole lauded the European Union (EU) for funding the project, saying that the support of the union was fundamental for the MSME project.
Also, Ms Samuela Isopi, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, said that the EU supported the project to help MSMEs produce PPEs to international standards.
Isopi was represented by Ms Cecile Tassin-Pelzer, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Nigeria.
She explained that the project was funded by the EU with 50 million euros through the basket fund to support 73 per cent of laid-off staff, due to COVID-19.
Tassin-Pelzer added that the project was also to help create decent jobs that would focus on women and youths, noting that women and youths were mostly affected by the pandemic.
“We are moving together closely.
We are also pleased with the support and the cooperation with UN agencies and government in ensuring that the project progressed to this level.
“The EU will always partner and work with Nigeria, and we look forward to seeing sustainability and benefits in Nigeria,” she said.
Speaking also, Miss Vanasa Phala, the Country Director of ILO, described the project as timely.
She said that MSMEs contributed to job creation and that it was imperative to support the institution to enable them sustain their businesses beyond the project.
Phala emphasized the need to support the institution so that beyond the project, they would be able to sustain their businesses.
She, however, lauded the EU for being in the fore-front of supporting the project.
Also, Malam Farouk Salim, Director-General of the Standards Organisations of Nigeria, said that MSMEs were critical segment of the economy.
Salim, who was represented by Mr Ayodele Omotosho, Deputy Director, Laboratories and Chemicals in the organisation, said that development of the sector would contribute to economic growth.
He pointed out that production of quality products by MSMEs remained key in sustaining their businesses.
Salim, however, assured of the organisation’s commitment and readiness to collaborate with UNIDO and other UN partners.
Otumba Francis Meshioye, the Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), lauded UNIDO for the event, describing the project as apt and commendable.
He lauded other UN agencies for their contributions, while also appreciating the EU for funding the project.
Meshioye pledged the commitment of MAN to supporting UNIDO in the manufacturing sector interventions.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), says it is organising entrepreneurship training for youths and women across the 36 states of the Federation.
The Director-General (D-G) of NIHOTOUR, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr Joesef Karim, his Special Assistant on Technical, on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Kangiwa, the training tagged “Sustainable Tourism Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP)” is an innovative training and empowerment programme on tourism and hospitality, small business start-ups, and sustainable operations in Nigeria.
The NIHOTOUR boss added that the programme was novel and designed to train, equip and mentor trainees on hands-on skills and entrepreneurial capabilities for successful operations of small businesses.
He said participants would be trained on the tourism industry value-chain such as; cookery, pastry, confectionery, tour operations, tour guiding, and travel agency operations bordering on ticketing and reservations.
“The project aims at growing the economic activities of Nigeria in their respective locations for the growth of income and savings by local residents.
“It will help to increase growth in employment opportunities, increased number of self employment and development of areas of tourism sites and businesses,” he said.
He further said that the training was targeted at young girls and women who were single, married or widowed, and vulnerable youths who were either orphans, abandoned or school drop-outs.
The D-G listed others to include the physically challenged persons, internally displaced Persons, unemployed and jobless graduates of tertiary institutions.
He explained that the STEP project would be hosted across Nigeria’s six-geopolitical zones.
“The Programme would take place within three consecutive calendar months; one month of class work, two months of apprenticeship, practical training and mentorship.
“It will be at private tourism business organisations within the jurisdiction of NIHOTOUR training mandate, and the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN).
“The programme will also run on Nigeria’s National Skills Qualification (NSQ) framework, which is offered and designed based on the resolutions and validation of the various sub-sectors stakeholders.
“The award of Level three qualification requires the learner to achieve 36 Credit Units or 360 Guided Learning Hours,” he said.
Kangiwa said the project was billed to kick-off by Nov. 28, at NIHOTOURS’s Abuja campus.
with invitations extended to industry and multilateral stakeholders, including representatives of the World Bank, ILO, and UNESCO.
Others were UNWTO, ECOWAS, Foreign Embassies in Nigeria, NGOs, CSOs, Humanitarian and Social Development agencies in Nigeria.
The director said that the project was in-line with the well
documented objectives of the UN Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) programmes, related to the
delivery of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
NAN reports that NIHOTOUR is an organisation under the Ministry of Information & Culture, engaged in training, consultancy, research and publications, in order to promote skills and entrepreneurship courses and programmes.
The Institute has played a pivotal role in building an entrepreneurial ecosystem, not only in Nigeria, but in other countries through international training and development programmes.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Federal Government says it is committed to creating an enabling environment for the creation of 21 million full time jobs and lift 35 million people out of poverty by 2025.
Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment said this during an Inter-Ministerial Training Workshop on Boosting Job Creation on Friday in Abuja.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Head, Press and Public Relations in the ministry.
He was represented by Mrs Gloria Ogifo, Director of Labour, Employment and Wages Department.
According to Oshundun, this is in line with the National Development Plan of the Federal Government.
He said that the three tiers of government, high net-worth individuals and corporate organisations have been giving serious attention to job creation,
Oshundun qouted Ngige as saying, ”as such, they had taken necessary actions needed to create decent jobs for the Nigerian workforce.
”
The minister said that the high rate of unemployment in the country could no longer be ignored.
He said the issue of unemployment was a major contributing factor to the increased insurgencies, agitations and other criminal activities manifesting in different parts of the country.
Ngige said that the state of the economy would not stop governments’ programmes for job creation.
He said: ”The ministry, in collaboration with its social partners and relevant stakeholders, had taken immediate and more proactive approaches to creating jobs, empowering the youths, and increasing productivity.
”
Ngige hoped that the workshop would help to navigate the paths for responsive actions that would bring about job creation.
According to him, ”such responsive actions that would stimulate sustainable job creation include encouraging entrepreneurship orientation from the primary level, to inculcate the culture of self employment amongst the pupils at the early stage.
”Others are providing credit facilities at low interest rates which would encourage youths to engage in agricultural entrepreneurship, as well as Improving mechanical agricultural systems.
”
Ngige also identified other responses as creating more employment opportunities in urban and rural areas through strengthening the tourism sector, providing basic infrastructure, especially power, and good road networks; among others.
Also, Mrs Matilda Megwa, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Employment and Job creation, said that the objectives and outcome of the training workshop was critical.
Megwa said that as a review of the National Employment Policy had identified loopholes in the employment processes across all sectors.
.
She said that the training was aimed at tackling causes, collecting relevant data and proffering solutions to unemployment.
Megwa urged all social partners and relevant stakeholders to make themselves available all through the processes and procedures of implementing the National Development Plan.
Earlier, Ms Vanessa Phala, Country Director to Nigeria, International Labour Organisation (ILO), commended the ministry for its sustained collaboration.
Phala said: ”ILO was pleased to be collaborating with the ministry to promote an enabling environment for the promotion of quality job creation through the implementation of the National Employment Policy.
”The workshop would avail stakeholders the opportunity to present and review their programmes aimed at employment creation, identify synergies and seek alignment with existing policies and plans.
”
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The African Union (AU) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Republic of Rwanda launched the 7th Pan African Forum on Migration (PAFOM), in Kigali, under the theme: “Addressing the Impact of Climate Change on Human Mobility in Africa: Building Adaptation Strategies and Resilient Communities” on October 18, 2022, to provide more focused engagement with all relevant migration stakeholders, including Regional Economic Communities (RECs), AU Member States , ambassadors, the private sector, academia, parliamentarians, the diaspora community and civil society organizations in Africa and discuss, among other ways, how to strengthen continental, regional and national consultation mechanisms on migration to enhance collaboration among the member states of the African Union, for sustainable migration governance in Africa, and serves as a platform way for participants to share experiences and best practices on the impact of climate change, displacement and migration; especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and make relevant recommendations on early warning, preparedness and adaptation strategies, including return and reintegration in communities of origin.
The 7th PAFOM also provides a wonderful opportunity for member states to develop a common understanding on the impact of climate-induced migration, as they prepare for COP 27 in Cairo, Egypt, in November 2022.
The Seniors Meeting Officials of the Pan-African Forum on Migration was officially opened by Ms. Clementine Mukeka, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, who welcomed the forum participants on behalf of the Government and people of Rwanda .
In addition, she urged the member state participants to take the opportunity to reiterate commitments and strengthen collaborations as a continent and develop strategies that work for the continent.
In her opening speech, Ag. The Director of the Department of Social Development, Culture and Sports, Ms. Angela Martins, thanked the Government of Rwanda for organizing the meeting and supporting the participants and guests who attended the Forum.
He also thanked all the delegates, the AU partners, specifically the IOM, the ILO and the IFRC who have been very helpful in supporting the AU Commission in organizing the meeting and for their generous contribution so that this meeting a success.
He further highlighted PAFOM as a continental interstate dialogue mechanism that brings together different stakeholders to deliberate on current issues of migration governance that affect the continent and provides an opportunity to share experiences, best practices and also to develop a continental approach.
on migration governance issues on the continent.
He acknowledged that climate change is emerging as one of the key drivers of migration in Africa, and that the growing recognition of the nexus between migration and climate change has triggered many debates and policy debates in Africa and reflects the growing concern around to the impact of climate change.
change in the configuration of human mobility, on the one hand, and on a broader front, how these phenomena have impacts on socio-economic development, human well-being and security in Africa.
“.
Ms. Angela Martin underscored the commitment of the African Union Commission (AUC) to continue supporting member states by providing technical support in policy development and implementation.
These policy initiatives, among others, include: the AU Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032); the Migration Policy Framework for Africa (MPFA); the Africa Climate Mobility Initiative (ACMI); the Integrated African Weather Strategy (Weather and Climate Services); and the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods which commits to “enhancing the resilience of livelihoods and production.
The opening session was also delivered by Ms. Aissata Kane, Senior Regional Advisor to the IOM Director General, who highlighted the effect of climate change, environmental degradation and disasters on displacement.
“In 2021 there were 23.7 million internal displacements related to disasters.
Global projections show that up to 216 million people could move internally within their countries by 2050.
Sub-Saharan Africa could receive up to 85.7 million climate migrants (4.2 percent of its total population),” said Ms. Aissata Kane. She called for increased actions to prevent, minimize and address climate change-related displacement and to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration pathways.
A final meeting report detailing key actionable commitments and policy recommendations for implementation by member states and other stakeholders on ways to address the impact of climate change on migration and displacement governance will be presented to the consideration of the relevant Migration and Climate Ministers.
October 21 session.
The Federal Government has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to rescind its opposition to the registration of two new academic unions in the Nigerian public university system.
Sen. Chris Ngige, Ministerof Labour and Employment, made the call in a statement signed by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Head, Press and Public Relations, in the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the new unions are the Congress for Nigerian University Academics (CONUA) and the Nigeria Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA).
NAN reports that CONUA and NAMDA received letters of recognition recently by the ministry in Abuja.
However, in a letter to Ngige, the President of NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba, demanded for the withdrawal of the letters issued to the unions, is on the grounds that their registration contravened the laws guiding trade unionism.
Ngige, in his reply, on Oct, 12, had appealed to NLC to allow the new unions to exist in the spirit of Freedom of Association.
The minister insisted that the Trade Dispute Act 2004 gives him the sole power to register new trade unions, either by registering a new union or regrouping existing ones.
He reiterated that the new unions were offshoots or by-products of regrouping and their applications were considered by two committees of his ministry.
He said that this was with the Registrar of Trade Unions participating when the first recommendation for approval was given in 2019, and again in 2022.
He also said that CONUA and NAMDA were regrouped from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), for efficiency and effectiveness in the system.
The minister added that ,more importantly, to protect these groups of university teachers whose worldview differs from the restive parent union.
“Comrade President, do not unnecessarily oppose the registration of these new academic unions.
“Because with ASUU, they are all like seeds on the academic soil of Nigeria and which will grow into big trees we don’t know, but the one which her trees are not bearing good fruits, we already know.
“So, as an uncle of the unions, oppose none in the spirit of Freedom of Association, ’’he said.
He said that it should be noted that Section 3 (2) of the Trade Dispute Act, CAP T14 gives the Minister of Labour and Employment, the sole power to register new trade unions, either by registering new trade union or regrouping existing ones.
He added that the matter was a subject of litigation in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in most recent case which the President of the NLC failed to mention in his narration of court cases,
“The case of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the regrouped Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPAN) from NUP where the Law on Regrouping of Trade Unions was extensively explored and ruled upon.
“Unlike the cases cited by the President of the NLC to misinform the general public and unfortunately lead astray his affiliate Trade Union – ASUU,’’he said.
Ngige recalled that the NICN in a Suit no.
2192019, buttressed its earlier ruling on the matter and which had stated inter alia that the power to register trade unions resides with the Minister of Labour and Employment.
He noted that the last segment of Section 3(2) does not refer to the regrouping of existing trade unions, hence, the differentiation within the section between registering a new trade union and regrouping existing ones.
According him, we note your reference to Section 5 of the same Act, which deals with the “Procedure on receipt of application for registration” of a Trade Union.
“Section 5(4) in Particular states that the Registrar shall not register a trade union if it appears to him that any existing trade union is sufficiently representative of the interests of the class of workers concerned-CONUA members were ostracised and de-unionised by ASUU.
“Do we as the “Competent Authority” on Labour matters, including trade union services, pay homage to ASUU and acquiesce to leaving a large segment of lecturers and academia un-unionised, without protection, without a voice, and without a right at work.
`Are these workers not covered by the same ILO Conventions nos.
87 & 97?
”
On NAMDA, Ngige said that they are medical doctors lecturing in the universities were against the incessant prolonged and illegal strikes by ASUU.
“They said the strike had disrupted medical training and caused consequential damages to the educational system and by implication, the quantity and quality of future medical doctors and dentists in Nigeria.
“They have been teaching and some have graduated their students since the 8-month old strike by ASUU which commenced on Feb 14 2022. Universities of Maidugri, Bauchi and Sokoto medical teachers are indeed patriots.
“Moreover, their peculiar needs are quite different from the rest of ASUU members and they are often left out on welfare and career progression in the universities – the core functions of a registered trade union,’’he said.
Ngige therefore, said the NLC President to desist from using his position to deceive the general public by misguiding them with mal-citations of Labour Authorities.
He added that, if ASUU feels aggrieved, they could approach the Courts for Judicial remedy as law abiding citizens just like the Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment.
“That is by virtue of the powers conferred by Section 17 of the TDA, transmitted the trade dispute to the NICN for adjudication, due to refusal of the union to comply with the provisions of Section 18 of the TDA, conciliation having failed,’’he said.
•
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has picketed Alibert Production (Furniture) Limited, Abuja, over the reported sack of 200 workers.
The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, said this when he led the workers to picket the firm’s factory in Idu on Friday in Abuja.
The picketing was in commemoration of the 2022 World Day for Decent Work with the theme: ”Wage Justice”.
The company has been alleged of incessant violation of workers’ rights such as victimisation, intimidation and unfair labour practice, among others.
The workers that picketed the company displayed placards with various inscriptions such as: “Yes to Decent Work’’, “Yes to collective bargaining and social dialogue’’, “No to casual and contract work!
“Unionism is our rights,’’ among others
According to Wabba, it is on record that they disengaged more than 200 workers and only to engage them back on contract basis.
“They do not have social security over, no pension, they hire and fire every day, this were the same workers they have had a relationship with and a contract of employment.
This is a shame.
“Our law does not allow for that.
Our law allows only for decent work.
This is why we are here, because of the fact that these workers are not slaves.
“Modern day slavery had been abolished by the International Labor Organisation(ILO) and by Nigerian laws.
“The issue of hiring and firing every day without a contract of employment has been abolished.
“That is why we are here to send a very strong message that this must be corrected else, we will then take a full swing of the trade union action and also deliver a message, ‘he said.
The NLC president said that the company replied, “yes these issues have happened and we are ready to make amend.
’’
According to Wabba, in making amend, there must be a timeline, ”because we learnt that this place is like a prison yard.
“Once a worker enters, he cannot get out, you must work under a condition that is similar to slavery.
“If you remember comrades, that is how workers died in a fire incident in Ikordu in Lagos and until now those workers have not been paid compensation, we do not want that to happen here.
“We want workers in Nigeria to work under a condition of dignity, as workers here are not different from workers around the world,’’he said.
Wabba, therefore, called on employers of labour to ensure they read the Nigerian law that states that workers have rights.
“Employment is a contract between an employer and employees, so they are not salves, ‘‘he said.
Also, Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, NLC General Secretary while presenting a letter of complaint to the Human Resources Manager of the firm, Mr Adisa Shuiabu ,gave it two weeks to address the complaints.
According him, ”we write to implore your management to act quickly to address the following complaints by workers in your company:
“Heavy casualisation of your workforce, refusing your workers their inalienable rights to unionise, hiring and firing workers at will.
“Others are invitation of the police and traditional rulers to intimidate and harass workers in your establishment.
“These violations are fundamentally in the breach of ILO Conventions 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise.
“Also, Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining and also Convention 190 on Workplace Violence and Harassment which Nigeria just ratified a few days ago,’’ he said.
On the commemoration of the 2022 World Decent Work Day, Ugboaja urged the company to convene a meeting to address the dispute.
He said the meeting should be held with the representatives of workers’ organisations in the workplace of the National Union of Construction Engineering Civil Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), to address the concerns.
“We also urge you to put in place measures to ensure that there is effective collective bargaining mechanism and industrial dispute processes in your organization.
“We are here because forced labour and modern day slavery are being practised here,’’he said.
Also, Shuiabu, who received the letter on behalf of the company promised that the management would do the needful.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The National Labor Migration Policy of the Department of Employment and Labor aims to provide a national regulatory framework in line with international labor standards and regional labor migration frameworks The Vice Minister of the Department of Employment and Labor, Boitumelo Moloi, said yesterday (04 October 2022) that the main objective of the National Labor Migration Policy (NLMP) will be to ensure that labor migration to and from South Africa is carried out in the interest of both migrant workers and the South African economy and society.
Moloi delivered a keynote address yesterday at the Birchwood Hotel OR Tambo, Johannesburg, during the South Africa Dialogue on Mixed Migration and Labor Governance, in which labor actors (Ministries of Labor, workers' and employers' organizations) participated.
“Labor laws in South Africa cover all workers regardless of race, gender, religious belief or origin.
What is worrying, however, is the tendency of some employers to take advantage of vulnerable workers, given the current high levels of unemployment, to exploit them and subject them to unacceptable conditions or to undermine existing labor laws and regulations,” Moloi said.
Furthermore, Moloi said, "These kinds of practices have led to sporadic incidents of unnecessary conflict and friction between locals and foreigners."
Deputy Minister Moloi said that wherever you go in the SADC region, you will find native South Africans moving freely and even other neighboring foreign nationals who also enjoy the same freedom in South Africa.
“I am bringing this up because there are people who continue to spread legends and beliefs that South Africans are xenophobic.
"We continue to support initiatives at the SADC and African Union levels aimed at ensuring cooperation to facilitate the movement of people as a key element of economic and political integration," the Deputy Minister said.
With the support of the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Department of Employment and Labor has adopted an inclusive and participatory policy development strategy that began in 2015 with a high-level seminar on labor migration management and policy development , the establishment of a route map in 2016 and a work team whose responsibility is to supervise the development of the Labor Migration policy.
“The first mission of the South African National Labor Migration Policy is to provide a national regulatory framework aligned with international labor standards and regional labor migration frameworks whose main objective will be to ensure that labor migration to and from South Africa takes place in interest of migrant workers and the South African economy and society,” Moloi said.
The Director of the ILO Decent Work Team for the Eastern and Southern Africa office in Pretoria, Dr. Joni Musabayana, said that the objectives of the Tripartite Dialogue on the Governance of Labor Migration in South Africa are to: Take stock and learn about the finalization and ongoing implementation of South Africa's labor migration policy.
; Identify together the challenges and opportunities for 2022-2023 in the implementation of the policy, as well as other priorities that the SAMM (Southern African Migration Management) project could support to accelerate its implementation; and finally, identify national focal points responsible for each of the thematic areas covered by the SAMM project to facilitate follow-up.
The country-level dialogues on the Governance of Mixed and Labor Migration are organized within the framework of the Southern African Migration Management (SAMM) project, funded by the European Union and led by the International Labor Organisation.
This four-year project (2020-2023) is designed to improve migration management in the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region.
Due to the sensitive nature of the issue of migration management, President Cyril Ramaphosa established an Interministerial Task Force on Migration and Employment in 2020, led by 12 Ministers and senior civil servants from various departments led by the Ministers of Employment and Labor.
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The tripartite dialogue, which started yesterday, will continue until tomorrow, October 06, 2022, in Gauteng.
The Federal Government says it has signed the Instrument of Ratification for the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No.190 aimed to eliminate violence and harassment in the workplace.
Ms Kachollom Daju, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, said this at the opening of a two-day workshop, organised for Professional Officers in the Northern Geo-Political Zones on Thursday in Abuja.
The workshop was tagged, “Regional Sensitisation Workshop on ILO Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment and Eliminating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the workplace.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Convention No.190 (C190) is the first international treaty to recognised the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment.
The Convention was adopted in June 2019, by the International Labour Conference of the ILO and came into force on June 25, 2021.
It also said that governments that ratified the C190 would be required to put in place the necessary laws and policy measures to prevent and address violence and harassment in the world of work.
The Convention represents a historic opportunity to shape a future of work, based on dignity and respect for all.
The permanent secretary said that President Muhammadu Buhari, had signed the Instrument for ILO Convention No.190 on Violence and Harassment.
According to her, the document is set to be deposited with the Director General of the ILO by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“Nigeria is the fourth country in Africa and the eighth in the world to ratify the Convention.
“The ministry has already inserted prohibitions on violence and harassment, including sexual harassment in the just concluded review of the National Labour Bills.
“The ratification comes with an enormous responsibility and reporting obligation for Nigeria, ’’ she said.
Daju, however, called on labour officers in the states to ensure the implementation, intercept and intervene in all cases of violence and harassment, and other related unfair labour practices in all workplaces after the convention is domesticated.
The permanent secretary therefore, charged the labour officers to do their jobs diligently as the ministry would be depending on them to generate and gather data for the purpose.
According to Daju, the data will be used to develop a comprehensive First Report of Nigeria’s implementation of the Convention to the ILO when the time comes.
She commended ILO for providing the technical support for the workshop, and for its support in ensuring that Nigeria’s Labour Administration System operated in line with international best practice.
Earlier, Mrs Juliana Adebambo, Director, Productivity Measurement and Labour Standards, said the ministry, with the technical support from the ILO, had convened a series of preliminary activities across the six geo-political zones in the country.
Adebambo said this was to facilitate wide spread and acceptance of the Convention in Nigeria.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
