The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed deep concern over the country’s recurring placement among the worst nations for labour rights.
In the 2025 edition of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Global Rights Index, Nigeria once again featured in the infamous list of top 10 worst violators of workers’ rights, drawing condemnation from labour leaders.
NLC President Joe Ajaero, speaking through his deputy Adewale Adeyanju at the 68th Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) in Lagos, described the development as a disgrace to the country’s image. He said, “This is a stain on our conscience and a legacy none of us should accept.”
Ajaero stressed that many of the reported violations occur within private sector enterprises, some of which are represented at the NECA forum. He urged employers to take the lead in reversing the trend by respecting labour laws and honouring collective bargaining agreements. “I urge NECA to lead by example,” he said.
He highlighted the need for both employers and workers’ representatives to jointly implement key decisions from the recently concluded 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva. He particularly emphasised regulating the platform economy and strengthening workplace safety. “Declarations alone are not enough,” Ajaero noted. “We must work side by side to protect workers while harnessing the benefits of technology.”
Commending NECA’s Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, for maintaining open channels of communication, Ajaero said such collaborative efforts are crucial for sustained industrial harmony. “His openness to genuine engagement has reaffirmed the truth that we are not adversaries, but partners bound by common purpose,” he stated.
The NLC also urged NECA to support the domestication of key International Labour Organisation conventions, especially those on decent work in the gig economy and on biohazards. Ajaero called for swift legislative backing to embed these protections in Nigeria’s labour framework.
Furthermore, Ajaero called for the formation of a permanent Standing Committee between the NLC and NECA to foster regular dialogue and prevent disputes. He stressed, “This mechanism is no longer optional; it is the surest path to enduring industrial peace.”
Raising the alarm over efforts by some political actors to decentralise labour matters, Ajaero warned that removing labour from the Exclusive Legislative List could unravel the national industrial relations structure. “These misguided attempts reveal a dangerous ignorance of the chaos this would unleash,” he said.
He also drew attention to broader social issues affecting workers’ welfare, including the shrinking civic space, economic exclusion, and state repression. Ajaero noted, “A vibrant civic space is not a luxury—it is the fertile ground in which both businesses and workers flourish.”
In his concluding remarks, Ajaero reminded employers of the human dimension of business. “Profit without people is an empty pursuit; progress without justice is a fleeting illusion,” he said.
Congratulating NECA on its 68th AGM, he expressed hope that its resolutions would lead to more equitable and decent workplaces across Nigeria.
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