By Bimbola Oyesola, Geneva, Switzerland
Nigeria has tasked global leaders to team up in order to address the technological challenges and build a more resilient and inclusive society for future generations.
Speaking at the 112th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha said, “We must continue to work together to mitigate the challenges of technology and its related threats to the world of work, while charting a more productive, resilient, equitable and more inclusive society for future generations.”
The minister’s address at the ILC was in response to the Director-General’s report on the renewed social contract, outlining Nigeria’s position on the global agenda for decent work and social justice, and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to fostering a culture of constructive social dialogue and promoting decent working conditions in Nigeria.
According to her, these are in a bid to ensure a fair and equitable work environment for Nigerian workers. This is even as she highlighted the federal government’s policies targeting food security, job creation, poverty alleviation and social cohesion, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”
She applauded the Director-General’s office for selecting a timely and relevant theme, which highlights the mutual interdependence between individuals and societies in promoting social unity, economic robustness and political stability.
The minister noted that this theme aligns perfectly with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Tinubu’s administration, a visionary policy framework designed to transform Nigeria into a premier investment hub on the global stage.
She said: “The agenda is hinged on the core pillars ‘4-D Diplomacy Strategy’ centred on promoting democracy, driving economic development, harnessing Nigeria’s demographic potential, and engaging with the diaspora community. The eight priority areas of the agenda, she explained, aim to pursue economic prosperity for the country through food security, poverty eradication, economic growth, job creation, access to capital, inclusiveness, improving the security of life and property, rule of law and fight against corruption.
“This will help build a more just and equitable society, reminding both Nigerians and the global community that Nigeria stands ready to embrace the future and conduct business in line with international best practice,” she stated.
She added that Nigerian government has provided an enabling environment for social dialogue with the tripartite constituents to advance social justice and has solicited tripartite plus cooperation to align with government’s agenda in the labour sector to promote workers welfare and boost national productivity.
On new national minimum wage, she said “the Federal Government is currently negotiating through its tripartite committee to review the national minimum wage as part of its efforts to promote decent work for workers in both the public and private sectors.
The minister further showcased Nigeria’s progress in implementing international labour standards, promoting social justice and boosting national productivity through the recent launch of the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), aimed at creating jobs and equipping youth with entrepreneurship skills.
“The Government also recognise skill acquisition as a viable strategy for youth empowerment and job creation, and has identify the informal sector as the driving force of economic growth in most developing countries of the world. As an intentional strategy towards achieving the goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government launched the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) on Thursday 25th April, 2024, with the fundamental vision to create jobs by training and equipping 2.5 million persons every year within the next 4 years with requisite entrepreneurship skills,” she said.
The Minister expressed that the efforts of government towards promoting entrepreneurship will revamp Nigeria’s economy and reposition it on the path of steady growth, enhance job creation and reduce unemployment and insecurity.