Fed Govt Will Standardise Nation’s Working Environment For Workers – Labour Minister

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha has said that the federal government is focused on standardising the nation’s work environment for improved safe and healthy workplaces, and higher productivity.

She stated this while inspecting ongoing work at the Headquarters of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Abuja.

The project, which has reached 70 percent, will be delivered before the first quarter of next year.

The minister said the ministry would increase efforts in ensuring that factories and other workplaces comply with regulations and the minimum international best practices for the health and safety of the nation’s workforce.

Onyejeocha said in this new focus, the ministry would incorporate the labour unions to be part of their factory inspections team to ensure that all work environments at factories meet the required standards and comply with laws and regulations.

In a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Olajide Oshundun on Saturday, the minister said in compliance with regulations, factories must be registered, their licenses renewed, and their facilities and environments subjected to inspections for the protection of the employees and the public.

Onyejeocha stated that the ministry would also reposition its skills development function along with identified skills needs for both literate and non-literate beneficiaries, aimed at making them active contributors to national productivity and wealth creation.

She said: “This is about helping Nigerians get out of poverty. The human being is part of the infrastructure. Once you get it right on your workforce; get it right on employment, then the nation is on the right path.”

She remarked that contrary to popular belief, the ministry’s mandate does not revolve around dispute resolution, as its responsibilities also include skill development and employment generation, as well as registration, inspection, and renewal of licences of factories. 

Onyejeocha stated that the NDE headquarters, when completed, would give its workforce an environment conducive to quality work and increased productivity.

The Minister commended the company handling the project, M/s Skaldon International Limited, on its professionalism and quality of work and urged them on the real-time delivery of the project, which is targeted for the 1st quarter of 2024.

Director-General, NDE, Abubakar Fikpo, appreciated the commitment of the federal government to providing a more convenient location for the headquarters of the agency.

Fikpo: “We are hoping that maybe before the first quarter of 2024 work on this project would have been completed.”