FG insists on decent work for all

The Federal Government, yesterday, in Lagos reiterated its determination to ensure that employment conditions conform with the international best practices and in line with the Decent Work Agenda of the International Labour Organisation, ILO.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh, who spoke at the Annual General Meeting of the Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HuCaPan) was represented by Dr. Anyawu.
He said: “When government talks about decent employment, it is one that is consistent with the fundamental principles of right at work and which delivers fair income, social protection and guarantees social dialogue.”
To realise goverment’s objective, Illoh said: “The procedure for licensing private employment agencies has been reviewed to take into account the competence of the owners of companies applying to be licensed.
“Licensing of recruiters and labour contractors is, therefore, a programme that promotes basic human rights and enhances employability. It restores respect for the dignity of labour.”
In his address on the economy in 2014 and the outlook for 2015, President of HuCaPan, Mr. Neye Enemigin, observed that “unemployment among our youths is on the increase and currently a time bomb which requires urgent attention by government.
“We need government to provide the enabling environment and incentives to manufacturing, agriculture and mining to thrive in order to create jobs.”
Enemigin, who commended government’s efforts in the power sector, said “with power, this economy will grow three times more than what we have now,” though he said success in the power sector was yet to be fully realised.
He said: “Insecurity is a major issue and we are hoping that government will be able to fix it. The security challenges regrettably did not abate despite the colossal financial provisions set aside to deal with the scourge.”
Director-General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, who was represented by Mrs. Florence Osuji, acknowledged HuCaPan’s positive contributions which have been supported by NECA and the Federal Ministry of Labour. He, however, said there “is still much more to be done.”
He said: “The private employment agency industry in Nigeria is still fraught with unwholesome practices by unscrupulous individuals and portfolio companies.”
He, therefore, challenged HuCaPan to “sanitise the industry,” saying the organisation should count on its support and that of the Ministry of Labour.
In his address at the meeting, Lagos State Controller, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Mr Olawale Shado, advised employers of labour to “keep abreast with the developments of our laws in the world of work.“