Nigeria Hosts Tripartite Workshop on Sustainable Business Practices and Decent Work: A Collaborative Initiative for Economic Growth
In partnership with the Federal Government, the International Labour Organization (ILO), with funding from the Government of France, orchestrated a pivotal tripartite workshop on the ILO MNE Declaration and other instruments and initiatives to foster sustainable, responsible, and inclusive business practices, nurturing sustained economic growth and the realization of decent work.
9 November 2023
Abuja, Nigeria - November 9, 2023. The workshop, which took place from November 7 – 9, 2023, brought together representatives from critical entities such as the Ministry of Labor and Employment, the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, the National Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), other crucial Government institutions. The central objective of this gathering was to establish a platform for collaborative dialogue and action in advancing sustainable business practices and investments, guided by the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles on Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration).
Josée Laporte, an ILO specialist in corporate social responsibility welcomed the participants on behalf of Vanessa Phala, the ILO's Abuja Office Country Director and provided an overview of the uptake of the MNE Declaration across various countries stressing the importance of dialogue to translate the principles of the MNE Declaration into action..
Ms. Adenike Adebayo-Ajala, representing NECA, acknowledged the support of the ILO and the Federal government in the pursuit of decent work in the country. She highlighted NECA's annual awards being a platform recognizing businesses adhering to global standards in promoting decent work, expressing a commitment to integrating the MNE Declaration's recommendations for a prosperous Nigeria.
Comrade Abdullahi Okonu, representing the NLC, recognized the ILO's support for Nigerian workers and expressed anticipation for a valuable learning experience to advocate for workers' rights towards decent work.
Ms. Olaolu Olaitan, the Director of the Labour Inspectorate at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, conveyed the Ministry's gratitude to the ILO to organize this national workshop on the MNE Declaration and for the anticipated productive discussions to map out the contextualization of the recommendations of the MNE Declaration within the Nigerian context.
The workshop facilitated an understanding of the distinct roles of governments, enterprises, and employers' and workers' organizations in leveraging the positive impact of multinational enterprises on economic and social development. Participants assessed the relevance of the principles of the MNE Declaration to achieve national development priorities, including for advocating for a more holistic approaches by businesses for the elimination of child labor and its root causes. Participants also appreciated the relevance of the guidance offered by the MNE Declaration for promoting responsible business conduct in the context of a just transition to an environmentally sustainable economy.
The workshop enriched participants' comprehension of various instruments and initiatives fostering sustainable, responsible, and inclusive business practices to realize decent work. Collaboratively, attendees worked on a roadmap to promote these practices, guided by the ILO MNE Declaration and other international instruments.
The commitment of the Nigerian government and the ILO to promote sustainable, responsible, and inclusive business practices for economic growth and decent work remains unwavering. This National tripartite workshop stands as a significant stride towards these crucial objectives.
Thanks to the Government of France for funding the activity.
Josée Laporte, an ILO specialist in corporate social responsibility welcomed the participants on behalf of Vanessa Phala, the ILO's Abuja Office Country Director and provided an overview of the uptake of the MNE Declaration across various countries stressing the importance of dialogue to translate the principles of the MNE Declaration into action..
Ms. Adenike Adebayo-Ajala, representing NECA, acknowledged the support of the ILO and the Federal government in the pursuit of decent work in the country. She highlighted NECA's annual awards being a platform recognizing businesses adhering to global standards in promoting decent work, expressing a commitment to integrating the MNE Declaration's recommendations for a prosperous Nigeria.
Comrade Abdullahi Okonu, representing the NLC, recognized the ILO's support for Nigerian workers and expressed anticipation for a valuable learning experience to advocate for workers' rights towards decent work.
Ms. Olaolu Olaitan, the Director of the Labour Inspectorate at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, conveyed the Ministry's gratitude to the ILO to organize this national workshop on the MNE Declaration and for the anticipated productive discussions to map out the contextualization of the recommendations of the MNE Declaration within the Nigerian context.
The workshop facilitated an understanding of the distinct roles of governments, enterprises, and employers' and workers' organizations in leveraging the positive impact of multinational enterprises on economic and social development. Participants assessed the relevance of the principles of the MNE Declaration to achieve national development priorities, including for advocating for a more holistic approaches by businesses for the elimination of child labor and its root causes. Participants also appreciated the relevance of the guidance offered by the MNE Declaration for promoting responsible business conduct in the context of a just transition to an environmentally sustainable economy.
The workshop enriched participants' comprehension of various instruments and initiatives fostering sustainable, responsible, and inclusive business practices to realize decent work. Collaboratively, attendees worked on a roadmap to promote these practices, guided by the ILO MNE Declaration and other international instruments.
The commitment of the Nigerian government and the ILO to promote sustainable, responsible, and inclusive business practices for economic growth and decent work remains unwavering. This National tripartite workshop stands as a significant stride towards these crucial objectives.
Thanks to the Government of France for funding the activity.