The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has voiced strong concern over Nigeria’s continued inclusion among the world’s worst violators of workers’ rights, describing the country’s ranking in the 2025 ITUC Global Rights Index as a national disgrace.
NLC President Joe Ajaero made this known during the 68th Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), held in Lagos. Ajaero, represented by the NLC Deputy President and former President-General of the Maritime Workers Union, Adewale Adeyanju, said the index placed Nigeria among the 10 worst countries globally for labour rights.
“This is a stain on our conscience and a legacy none of us should accept,” Ajaero stated, noting that many violations occur within organisations represented at NECA. He urged the association to lead efforts in improving labour conditions, promoting respect for collective bargaining, and ensuring compliance with labour laws.
Ajaero also called for closer cooperation between employers and labour unions in implementing key outcomes from the recent 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva. He warned that declarations alone are insufficient, and stressed the need for proactive governance in the evolving platform economy and workplace safety.
He applauded NECA Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, for fostering constructive dialogue and reiterated the NLC’s call for the establishment of a Standing Committee between NLC and NECA to strengthen dispute resolution and industrial peace.
Ajaero condemned ongoing attempts by some state actors to remove labour matters from the Exclusive Legislative List, warning that such moves could destabilise the country’s industrial relations system. He also raised concerns over rising repression, insecurity, and the shrinking civic space, urging unified efforts to restore rights and dignity in the workplace.
“The worker you consider redundant is the same person keeping your enterprise alive,” he concluded, emphasizing fairness, justice, and social inclusion as keys to sustainable economic growth.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has voiced strong concern over Nigeria’s continued inclusion among the world’s worst violators of workers’ rights, describing the country’s ranking in the 2025 ITUC Global Rights Index as a national disgrace.
NLC President Joe Ajaero made this known during the 68th Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), held in Lagos. Ajaero, represented by the NLC Deputy President and former President-General of the Maritime Workers Union, Adewale Adeyanju, said the index placed Nigeria among the 10 worst countries globally for labour rights.
“This is a stain on our conscience and a legacy none of us should accept,” Ajaero stated, noting that many violations occur within organisations represented at NECA. He urged the association to lead efforts in improving labour conditions, promoting respect for collective bargaining, and ensuring compliance with labour laws.
Ajaero also called for closer cooperation between employers and labour unions in implementing key outcomes from the recent 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva. He warned that declarations alone are insufficient, and stressed the need for proactive governance in the evolving platform economy and workplace safety.
He applauded NECA Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, for fostering constructive dialogue and reiterated the NLC’s call for the establishment of a Standing Committee between NLC and NECA to strengthen dispute resolution and industrial peace.
Ajaero condemned ongoing attempts by some state actors to remove labour matters from the Exclusive Legislative List, warning that such moves could destabilise the country’s industrial relations system. He also raised concerns over rising repression, insecurity, and the shrinking civic space, urging unified efforts to restore rights and dignity in the workplace.
“The worker you consider redundant is the same person keeping your enterprise alive,” he concluded, emphasizing fairness, justice, and social inclusion as keys to sustainable economic growth.
