Stakeholders hold advocacy meeting to push for enactment of the labour standards bill in Ondo state

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE), Social Partners and relevant stakeholders with technical and financial support through the Action Against Child Labour in Agriculture in West Africa (ACLAWA) project, organized a Civil Society sensitization in Akure to engage on the enactment of the Labour Standards Bill. This event gathered key players from civil society, media influencers, labour unions, and government to discuss the urgent need to advocate for the enactment of the Labour Standards Bill.

Nigeria’s current Labour Act, which dates to 1971, has failed to keep pace with the country's evolving labour market, particularly in the areas of gender equality, workplace safety, and informal sector protections. Despite amendments in 2004, the Act remains insufficient in safeguarding workers' rights. The Labour Standards Bill, now pending with the Federal Ministry of Justice, seeks to address these gaps and align Nigeria’s labour laws with global standards. There is an urgent need to advocate for its enactment to align with international standards and secure the rights of Nigerian workers, including the interest of the Employers and Government thereby promoting Decent Work environment. This urgency informed the engagement with the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Labour Unions, Social Media Influencers, Public Affairs Commentators/Analysts and Journalists in Ondo State.

In her welcome remarks, Mrs. Olanike Magboruko, the Ondo State Controller for the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, emphasized the global urgency of eliminating child labour through improved labour standards. Stating that the Labour Standard bill has provisions on the Minimum age for employment and the prohibition of the hazardous work list for child labourers. Mrs. Magboruko also highlighted the ILO’s vital role in promoting Decent Work in Akure and in Nigeria as a whole.

Comrade Adewale Sanusi, representing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), reiterated the union’s commitment to fighting child labour and supporting the enactment of the Bill, while Clement Fatuase, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), stressed the importance of active participation by all stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.

Child labour data in Ondo State presented by Mr. Olusola Ajayi, Acting Statistician-General of Ondo State, revealed that 35.6% of children aged 5-17 in the state are engaged in child labour, with the agricultural sector accounting for the majority.

Dr. Agatha Kolawole, ACLAWA’s National Project Manager, representing the ILO country Director, stated ILO’s intervention in the elimination of child labour through the ACLAWA, GALAB and ACCEL Africa projects. She spoke on the importance of the Labour Standards Bill in the elimination of child labour. She emphasized that the Bill is crucial in preventing children from hazardous work and urged stakeholders to raise awareness within their communities.

The participants at the workshop were divided into four groups; each assigned a specific topic for discussion. Following their deliberations, representatives from each group gave a presentation on their topics and devised action plans attached in the appendix below.
At the end of the meeting, Stakeholders in Ondo state expressed their commitment to combating Child Labour in the state towards a sustainable future for children in Ondo state.