"COVID-19 pandemic has brought about the most significant changes we have seen in workplaces in generations" says ACT/EMP Director Deborah France-Massin on findings from ILO report in Nigeria
Global study commissioned by the Bureau for Employers Activities of the International Labour Organization (ACT/EMP) and the ILO Regional Office for Africa, in partnership with employer and business membership organizations (EBMOs) across Africa, to assess and understand the effects of the changes brought by the pandemic on the workplace in formal businesses and these changing dynamics in Africa.
On 5th April 2022, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) organized in Lagos (Nigeria) the launch of the report “Next normal: the changing workplace in Nigeria - How the COVID-19 pandemic and technology are shaping the next normal".
This report is part of a global study commissioned by the Bureau for Employers Activities of the International Labour Organization (ACT/EMP) and the ILO Regional Office for Africa, in partnership with employer and business membership organizations (EBMOs) across Africa, to assess and understand the effects of the changes brought by the pandemic on the workplace in formal businesses and these changing dynamics in Africa.
“This research on Changing Workplace presents a collection of views on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and work in Nigeria. It describes the varying ways in which the pandemic has affected work and the workplace; changing production strategies; the role of Labour Law and regulatory frameworks in navigating the pandemic; adaptation of businesses in terms of upskilling and reskilling needs and management of human resource” said Mr Taiwo ADENIYI, NECA’s President in his welcome remarks. He added that it is NECA hope that employers’ organizations, trade unions and the Government in the country pay close attention to the analysis with prompt adoption and implementation of the recommendations, for the country’s policy direction and competitive advantage.
The Director of the ILO Country Office Vanessa Phala stressed the importance of social dialogue and welcomed the presence of representatives of the government and the workers’ organizations in this event which confirm NECA’s commitment to a vibrant and fruitful social dialogue as bi and tripartite social dialogue will actually be central to addressing the opportunities and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.
“What is now clear is that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about the most significant changes we have seen in workplaces in generations across the world but also in Africa” said ACT/EMP Director Deborah France-Massin. She also stressed that “like businesses, EBMOs such as NECA have been challenged by the pandemic which has affected their revenues and the way they operate. They also had to find new and innovative ways to render services to their members and to increase their ability to represent and defend the interests of the private sector and influence policies”. ACT/EMP has done important efforts tin this regard to provide assistance to its constituents through tools, guidance, support to advocacy and will continue to do so.
The ILO will continue to support NECA in the implementation of the report’s recommendations but also more broadly in enhancing its portfolio of services and developing its advocacy based on reliable and documented research and analysis.
The launching event in Nigeria was the first of the series. Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and government institutions, of Presidents of workers’organizations (National Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress), of sectoral employers bodies, members of the National Labour Advisory Council, and senior business leaders participated in the event both physically and virtually.
This report is part of a global study commissioned by the Bureau for Employers Activities of the International Labour Organization (ACT/EMP) and the ILO Regional Office for Africa, in partnership with employer and business membership organizations (EBMOs) across Africa, to assess and understand the effects of the changes brought by the pandemic on the workplace in formal businesses and these changing dynamics in Africa.
“This research on Changing Workplace presents a collection of views on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and work in Nigeria. It describes the varying ways in which the pandemic has affected work and the workplace; changing production strategies; the role of Labour Law and regulatory frameworks in navigating the pandemic; adaptation of businesses in terms of upskilling and reskilling needs and management of human resource” said Mr Taiwo ADENIYI, NECA’s President in his welcome remarks. He added that it is NECA hope that employers’ organizations, trade unions and the Government in the country pay close attention to the analysis with prompt adoption and implementation of the recommendations, for the country’s policy direction and competitive advantage.
The Director of the ILO Country Office Vanessa Phala stressed the importance of social dialogue and welcomed the presence of representatives of the government and the workers’ organizations in this event which confirm NECA’s commitment to a vibrant and fruitful social dialogue as bi and tripartite social dialogue will actually be central to addressing the opportunities and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.
“What is now clear is that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about the most significant changes we have seen in workplaces in generations across the world but also in Africa” said ACT/EMP Director Deborah France-Massin. She also stressed that “like businesses, EBMOs such as NECA have been challenged by the pandemic which has affected their revenues and the way they operate. They also had to find new and innovative ways to render services to their members and to increase their ability to represent and defend the interests of the private sector and influence policies”. ACT/EMP has done important efforts tin this regard to provide assistance to its constituents through tools, guidance, support to advocacy and will continue to do so.
The ILO will continue to support NECA in the implementation of the report’s recommendations but also more broadly in enhancing its portfolio of services and developing its advocacy based on reliable and documented research and analysis.
The launching event in Nigeria was the first of the series. Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and government institutions, of Presidents of workers’organizations (National Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress), of sectoral employers bodies, members of the National Labour Advisory Council, and senior business leaders participated in the event both physically and virtually.