How to link the Future of Work to Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria
The ILO, its tripartite partners, academia, and other key stakeholders of Nigeria have agreed to support the Future of Work Initiative for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
30 August 2016
ABUJA (ILO News) – Senior representatives of the ILO, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), academia and other major stakeholders held the first Future of Work Dialogue in Abuja.
In his statement, Mr ILO Director Dennis Zulu stated that the Future of Work will surely contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
“The achievement of SDGs was a collective responsibility of the ILO, its constituents and other key stakeholders”, Zulu emphasized by urging all partners and stakeholders to mobilize resources and strategize effectively to ensure the attainment of the mandate of the ILO and the SDGs.
Mr. Zulu listed three of the key drivers of changes in the world of work to include technological innovation, globalization and increasingly fragmented organization of production and work and shifting employment relationships and an increase in vulnerable employment. He regretted that inequality was increasing almost everywhere, between and within countries, thereby undermining the fabric of societies as well as future growth prospects everywhere.
The ILO Director called on governments, employers and workers not to be passive but commit themselves as agents of change as they are the ones that can formulate policies and build stronger institutions that make the world of work a better place for present and future generations.
He also informed participants that the Future of Work Initiative was a major milestone in the history of the ILO leading up to and beyond its centenary in 2019. He stated that the initiative will equip the ILO and its constituents to successfully take up the challenges of its mandate in its second century.
The General Secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Peter Ozo-Eson and Secretary-General of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Simeso Amachree regretted the increasing indecency in the world of work and urged all the partners to unanimously work towards repositioning the world of work through the Future of Work Initiative.
They urged the tripartite partners and other key stakeholders to be ready to uphold and implement the standards and policies that would be formulated trough the Future of work Initiative.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator (Dr.) Chris Ngige joined NECA, NLC and TUC in acknowledging the support of the ILO by funding the Future of Work Dialogue in Nigeria. He also regretted the high rate of unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria and expressed the readiness of the government to diversify the economy.
He stated that the Government of Nigeria was strongly committed to the promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic development and full productive employment and the creation of decent jobs for the teeming youths.
Declaring the dialogue open, the Minister called on all stakeholders to take cognizance of all the issues raised in the thematic areas and its significance to the ILO future direction in addressing the challenges of ending poverty, combating inequality, ensuring social justice and decent work in line with the Future of Work Initiative.
In his statement, Mr ILO Director Dennis Zulu stated that the Future of Work will surely contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
“The achievement of SDGs was a collective responsibility of the ILO, its constituents and other key stakeholders”, Zulu emphasized by urging all partners and stakeholders to mobilize resources and strategize effectively to ensure the attainment of the mandate of the ILO and the SDGs.
Mr. Zulu listed three of the key drivers of changes in the world of work to include technological innovation, globalization and increasingly fragmented organization of production and work and shifting employment relationships and an increase in vulnerable employment. He regretted that inequality was increasing almost everywhere, between and within countries, thereby undermining the fabric of societies as well as future growth prospects everywhere.
The ILO Director called on governments, employers and workers not to be passive but commit themselves as agents of change as they are the ones that can formulate policies and build stronger institutions that make the world of work a better place for present and future generations.
He also informed participants that the Future of Work Initiative was a major milestone in the history of the ILO leading up to and beyond its centenary in 2019. He stated that the initiative will equip the ILO and its constituents to successfully take up the challenges of its mandate in its second century.
Collective national vision
The Director-General of Nigeria Employer’s Consultative Association, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, in his statement called on tripartite partners to focus on and be committed to decent work for all in order to encourage productivity and wealth creation.The General Secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Peter Ozo-Eson and Secretary-General of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Simeso Amachree regretted the increasing indecency in the world of work and urged all the partners to unanimously work towards repositioning the world of work through the Future of Work Initiative.
They urged the tripartite partners and other key stakeholders to be ready to uphold and implement the standards and policies that would be formulated trough the Future of work Initiative.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator (Dr.) Chris Ngige joined NECA, NLC and TUC in acknowledging the support of the ILO by funding the Future of Work Dialogue in Nigeria. He also regretted the high rate of unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria and expressed the readiness of the government to diversify the economy.
He stated that the Government of Nigeria was strongly committed to the promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic development and full productive employment and the creation of decent jobs for the teeming youths.
Declaring the dialogue open, the Minister called on all stakeholders to take cognizance of all the issues raised in the thematic areas and its significance to the ILO future direction in addressing the challenges of ending poverty, combating inequality, ensuring social justice and decent work in line with the Future of Work Initiative.