Nigeria to promote ILO healthy working conditions 

The determination of the Federal Government to promote healthy working conditions for Nigerians would be done within the standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).  

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, William Alo, disclosed this in his keynote address at a two-day Practical Workshop, on Report Rendition on the Application of Unratified Conventions and Recommendations, in Abuja.

Alo said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari recognises that a stable and harmonious industrial relation climate and decent work for all is critical for the realisation of the 2020 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in term of creating more jobs, improving livelihoods, and ensuring sustainable development in Nigeria.

Alo noted that in 2018 and 2019, Nigeria was able to clear up the back-log of reports due on Ratified and Unratified Conventions within the specified period as expected.   
He further disclosed that the Ministry plans to ensure that the report on unratified conventions is submitted as at when due.

The two-day Practical Workshop centred on report rendition on the Application of Unratified Conventions and Recommendations organised by the Ministry in line with ILO Article 19.

This provides that member states should, “in respect of each such conventions and recommendations which it has not ratified, report to the Director-General of the ILO at appropriate intervals as requested by the Governing body, the position of the law and practice of the Federation and its constituent states, provinces and cantons in regard to the Conventions. 

The report should show the extent to which effort has been given, or is proposed to be given, to any of the provision of the Conventions by legislation, administrative action, collective agreement or otherwise.”
In his welcome remark, the Director, Productivity Measurement and Labour Standard, represented by the Deputy Director in the Ministry, Mrs. Adebambo, said the workshop was organised to fulfill Nigeria’s obligations and commitment towards the adoption of the concerned conventions as it may apply to the recommendations.

The report to be generated from the Unratified conventions according to Dan Neburago, will enable the Committee of Expert on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR), prepare a general survey that will address the diversity in employment agreement as stated in the ILO Conventions and Recommendations.

He submitted that timely and effective implementation of application of International Labour Standards and prompt reporting remains one of the best strategies in Labour administration and promoting decent work.  
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has restated its commitment to reducing corruption in the workplace to the barest minimum.   

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, William Alo, stated this at a workshop on sensitisation and awareness creation on transparency and anti-corruption practice organised by the Ministry, in Abuja.

Alo said the war against corruption is one of the operational mantras of the present administration and an integral part of the crusade for national rebirth and social regeneration.

He said there is a need for every civil servant to understand the negative effect of corruption and “what role we can play individually and collectively to curb the menace.”

Speaking further, Alo said: “We often erroneously associate corrupt practice to financial crimes only, but it goes beyond that, the little thing you do or neglect to do in the conduct of your daily schedule of duties goes a long way to explain who you are.”