Minister of State of Labour and Employment, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, has said that the Federal Government was determined to ensure a conducive work environment for Nigerian workers in line with global best practices.
Speaking while inspecting Dantata and Sawoe construction company operation office in Abuja under the National Integrated Labour Inspection and Enforcement Services (NILIES), the Minister said the Buhari administration recognizes the critical role of Labour inspection in ensuring decent work for Nigerian workers.
According to him, the inspection was to ensure that both the work environment, equipment and operations were in conformity with the precepts of occupational safety and health principles as contained in the Labour laws of the country and the International Labour standards.
He said the inspection was symbolic as it was part of efforts to ascertain and ensure that Nigerian workers are safe in their workplaces. The essence of the inspection is to show-case to the workplaces in Nigeria, whether formal, semi-formal and informal sector of the economy that the present Administration holds in high esteem the Decent Work Country Programme.
“The NILIES is one of the statutory responsibilities and critical mandate of the ministry and in doing this it is in tandem with global practice. The ministry creates the enabling environment for Decent Work and sustainable economic growth and development through the use of best practices in Labour Administration”.
He said the inspection was to ensure that factories abide to the labour laws as enunciated by both the extant labour laws of 2004 and the International Labour Standard (ILS).
Executive Director of Dantata and Sawoe, Nasril Danbata assured the Minister that the company was a law abiding corporate citizen and complies with all recommended safety standards, rules, pension scheme and severances packages for workers in the company.
He said “This because our company has been in existence for the past 40 years, so we have try to put in places things that will make our workers happy. We also have good collaboration with the senior and junior staff unions in our company.”
(NAN)
