The Federal Government says it will partner with the International Labour Organisation to achieve decent work for workers in the country.
Senator Chris the Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, gave the indication on Monday in Abuja, when he received the ILO Assistant Director-General /Regional Director for Africa, Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon.
Ngige said that the issue of decent work was imperative but noted that many countries in Africa found it difficult to implement due to lack of resources.
The minister, who noted that Nigeria occupied a very peculiar position in the governing board of the ILO, said “there is no doubt we know heavy load that is placed on us in Africa”.
He assured that Nigeria would not let the continent and body down.
He said: “We will do our best to contribute whatever we can to ensure a decent work agenda as requested by ILO.”
He listed some of the challenges being faced by Nigeria as youth unemployment, migration and social protection, among others.
Ngige said: “So, we will request the ILO to fashion out a way for the industrialised nations to ensure that social protection programmes around the world are successful.”
Earlier, Samuel-Olonjuwon urged Nigeria to use its strategic position in the ILO governing body for the benefit of the country and Africa at large.
She said that the ILO would celebrate its centenary in 2019, adding that its Director- General, Guy Ryder, would soon visit Nigeria as part of preparation for the anniversary.
The ILO official also visited the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba and urged the congress to champion decent work and social protection in Nigeria and Africa.
Samuel-Olonjuwon also called on the labour movement to use its position in ILO governing structure to articulate reforms.
She said: “If you do not engage in issues that affect us and our continent, you will be shortchanged. We do not want Nigeria to lose out from the benefits of the body.”
Responding, Wabba said that labour would ensure that decent work agenda was implemented for the good of workers.