The national work environment is being standardized by the federal government to promote safer, healthier workplaces and increased productivity.
This was said in Abuja by Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of Labor and Employment, when she went to the NDE’s Headquarters—which is currently undergoing reconstruction—to gauge the project’s level of completion.
She said that the Ministry of Labour and Employment would step up efforts to ensure that factories and other workplaces adhere to laws and the minimal international best practices for the health and safety of the country’s workforce in order to accomplish that standardization.
She said that as part of this new initiative, the Ministry will include labor unions in their team that inspects factories to make sure that all work environments adhere to legal requirements and standards.
The Minister insisted that, in order to protect workers and the public, factories needed to register, have their permits updated, and have their environments and facilities inspected.
Onyejeocha said that in order to empower beneficiaries, both literate and not, to actively participate in the production of wealth and productivity within the country, the Ministry would also realign its skills development function along identified skill needs.
“This is about helping Nigerians get out of poverty. Human being is part of infrastructure. Once you get it right on your work force; 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 for 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 at the 1st quarter of 2024.
Speaking earlier, Director General of National Directorate of Employment, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, appreciated the commitment of the Federal government to providing a more convenient location for the headquarters of the Directorate.