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LAGOS: Dr Vanessa Phala, the Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Country Office For Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone And Liaison Office For ECOWAS has called for renewed advocacy that will push for the passing and enactment of the 20-year-old Labour Standard Bill in Nigeria.
Phala spoke at an interactive engagement session with Senior Media Executives, labour union leaders and other stakeholders’ on Friday about the urgent need to mount advocacy for the enactment of the 20-year-old Labour Standards Bill that is now stuck at the Ministry of Justice.
Dr Phala who acknowledges that Nigeria’s workforce has recorded some progress lamented that the framework of labour laws has not kept pace with the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s economy and workforce.
She said, “For over five decades, Nigeria’s primary labour legislation, the Labour Act of 1971, has remained largely unchanged, aside from modest updates in 2004 and efforts in 2014. This dated Act does not fully account for the contemporary realities of the Nigerian workplace, particularly overlooking the informal sector, where a significant portion of the population is employed.
“Much more is required to adequately secure the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work for the Employers and workers. Gender equality, workplace safety, and protections for those in the informal economy all demand urgent legislative attention.
Speaking further at the engagement organised by ILO and Action Against Child Labour in Agriculture in West Africa (ACLAWA) Project, Phala decried the current labour Act that has remained a deep-rooted challenge across many Nigerian communities, affecting millions of children who are compelled to abandon their childhood, education, and potential in favour of labour that often endangers their health and well-being.
According to Dr Phala, the focus of the engagement is to emphasise the necessity for a new Labour Standards Bill; review the status of the bill; secure media support for advocacy campaigns and establishment of a forum for ongoing evaluation and engagement.
She disclosed that the ILO, through the ACLAWA, GALAB, and ACCEL Africa projects, has been actively working with local communities to reduce vulnerabilities to child labour by establishing Community Child Labour Monitoring Committees, enabling local leaders to monitor, report, and mitigate child labour within their own communities.
However, she lamented that without legislative support and laws protecting the rights of all children, especially those in high-risk industries like agriculture, all localized victories cannot produce the desired protection against child vulnerabilities.
Dr Agatha Kolawale, ILO Project Director at ACLAWA, stated that the programme aims to empower journalists to report on child labour concerns from a knowledgeable perspective.
Dr Kolawole called for the quick passage of the Labour Standard Bill, saying its passage would completely eliminate the issue of child labour in the country.
The ACLAWA National Project Manager, stated that child labour deprived children of the opportunity to be equipped with the necessary skills for the future while exposing them to health risks and dangers.
Acknowledging that children may support their families and build their social skills, Kolawole advocated that children should not be allowed to undertake unacceptable work that is dangerous and will not help the child’s development.
She lamented that labour laws in Nigeria remained largely unchanged and called for a step up in the advocacy to achieve SGD Goal 8 and ensure that the important piece of legislation does not remain a draft but becomes a robust, protective framework for a decent work environment.
Mrs. Olaolu Olaitan, Director, Inspectorate Department in the Ministry of Labour and Employment explained that the Labour Standards Bill in Nigeria is a bill that aims to amend the Labour Act to address obsolete fines and ensure the bill reflects current economic realities.
Chinyere Emeka-Anuna, a Senior Programme Officer at ILO shared insights into the International Labour Organisation (ILO) history and mission, saying the labour matters is a tripartite affair that involves the government representative from the Ministry of Labour, the employer and workers.
Content of the Labour Standards Bill
The bill includes the following provisions: Minimum age for light work: The bill sets the minimum age for light work at 13 years old.
Hours and conditions of work: The bill provides for the hours and conditions of work for children aged 13 who perform light work.
List of light work activities: The bill includes a list of activities that constitute light work.
Global Data
Globally, as noted in the 2021 ILO and UNICEF report, child labour has surged, with 160 million children now affected. This worrying trend is most pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a rising number of children as young as 5 engaged in labour, particularly in agriculture, which accounts for 70% of child labour cases worldwide.
In Nigeria, the recent survey by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) echoes this global data, revealing that 39.2% of Nigerian children aged 5-17 are in child labour, with 22.9% are exposed to hazardous conditions.
The comprehensive Labour Standards Bill drafted and validated by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Employers’ Association (NECA), and Workers’ Associations (NLC and TUC), needs to progress.
As affirmed by the tripartite partners in Nigeria, this proposed Labour Standard Bill embodies extensive input and aligns with international labour standards.
