Labour Reforms: Expedite action on passage of key bills – Minister

By Christiana Ekpa

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, on Monday stressed the need for legislative support to reform Nigeria’s labour laws to meet international standards, citing critical bills awaiting consideration.

The Minister equally hailed the leadership of the House of Representatives for convening the inaugural National Policy Dialogue on the Legislative Agenda, describing it as a clear indication of the legislative commitment towards making a positive impact on our national development.

Speaking at the opening session of the policy dialogue gathering in Abuja, the Minister noted that the Dialogue represents a viable platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions on critical issues affecting the nation, especially as it draws participation from “policy makers, experts in various sectors, technocrats and key players in diverse fields.

He said: “I make a passionate plea to the House of Representatives to facilitate the speedy passage of national labour laws. listing among them the Labour Standards Bill, Collective Labour Relations Bill, and the Occupational Safety and Health Bill.

“When enacted, these bills will not only reposition Nigeria’s labour administration system, but will create an enabling environment for robust investments, enhanced productivity and attainment of social justice,” he added.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, underscored the Dialogue’s historical significance, calling it “a veritable platform for the robust articulation, analysis and appraisal of parliamentary activities towards a peaceful, prosperous, stable and sustainable nation.”

Nwankwo praised the House’s eight-point Legislative Agenda, describing it as a contract with the Nigerian people and a roadmap in complementing the efforts of the Executive in navigating the nation out of turbulent waters to the safe shores of national economic prosperity.

“The 10th House shone green flags as the beacon and the bastion of our democracy. It heralds a new era of purposeful alignment with global parliamentary best practices, benchmarked by the key indicators of strategic focus, measurable impact and parliamentary objectivity,” he stated.

He also announced a series of upcoming strategic roundtables by the House Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation, including a global forum on energy transition themed “My Gas, My Everything,” which will explore the role of gas in power generation, agriculture, climate action, and transport.