Governments at all levels have been advised to set up standards and enforce regulations in order to protect Nigerian workers.
A professor of Industrial Sociology and Employment Relations at University of Ibadan, Professor Emeka Emmanuel Okafor gave this advice while delivering the 562 inaugural lecture of the University of Ibadan on Thursday.
Okafor while delivering the lecture titled “The periphery of the periphery: Exploring the experiencing of non-standard workers” said that government is still the largest employer of labour in Nigeria.
He added that governments has crucial role to play in setting labour standards and enforcing regulations to protect workers’ rights and ensure decent work.
Okafor while addressing the gathering enjoined governments at all levels to take actions which include regularizing non-standard workers in government ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals.
He also suggested that the governments should establish national social protection systems to provide social security and support for all workers, including non-standard workers, in terms of healthcare, pensions and unemployment benefits.
The don urged the private-sector employers to ensure fair treatment and decent working conditions for all employees, including non-standard workers.
Okafor who spoke further said that as a major stakeholder, the labour unions can advocate the rights and interests of non-standard workers.
He concluded that higher institutions of learning can contribute to mitigating youth unemployment by incorporating entrepreneurship education into their curricula to equip students with the skills and mindset needed to start and sustain businesses.
He also advised them to facilitate partnerships with local businesses and successful entrepreneurs to provide students with practical insights and mentorship opportunities and advocate government support in the form of infrastructure development and access to start-up capital for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Okafor said “In this part of the world, Nigeria, government is still the largest single employer of labour. Thus, government has a crucial role to play in setting labour standards and enforcing regulations to protect workers’ rights and ensure decent work. The action government at all levels is expected to take include:
“Regularizing non-standard workers in government ministries, departments, agencies, and parastatals who are due for such in order to provide them with stable employment and career advancement opportunities as a way of showing good examples to other stakeholders. Combatting youth unemployment through job creation initiatives and reforms aimed at revitalizing the economy and attracting investments;
“Establishing national social protection systems to provide social security and support for all workers, including non-standard workers, in terms of healthcare, pensions, and unemployment benefits. Strengthening labour inspection mechanisms to enforce compliance with safety standards and provide adequate and timely compensation for workplace injuries and fatalities.
“Private-sector employers have the responsibility of ensuring fair treatment and decent working conditions for all employees, including non-standard workers. These are some of the actions they can take. Regularizing non-standard workers based on performance and merit to provide them with job security and career progression opportunities. Providing adequate training and safety equipment to mitigate workplace hazards and prevent accidents. Supporting initiatives that promote workers’ well-being and social protection, such as health insurance and retirement benefits.
“As a major stakeholder, labour unions can advocate the rights and interests of non-standard workers by doing the following. Pressuring employers to regularize non-standard workers and improve their working conditions through collective bargaining agreements. Collaborating with government agencies and civil society organisations to push for policy reforms and better enforcement of labour laws and providing legal aid and representation to workers involved in disputes or seeking redress for labour rights violations.
“Universities and other higher institutions can contribute to mitigating youth unemployment by incorporating entrepreneurship education into their curricula to equip students with the skills and mindset needed to start and sustain businesses, facilitating partnerships with local businesses and successful entrepreneurs to provide students with practical insights and mentorship opportunities and advocating government support in the form of infrastructure development and access to start-up capital for aspiring entrepreneurs”.
