By Okon Okon
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) says its upcoming Annual Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum will address the nation’s labour crisis and promote industrial harmony.
Its Director-General, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said this on Tuesday at a news conference on its forthcoming forum scheduled to be held on Feb. 13 in Abuja.
Oyerinde stated that the forum would feature the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr Gilbert Houngbo, and focus on key issues affecting industrial relations between employers and workers in Nigeria.
“Without industrial peace, discussions about Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and national development become irrelevant. This forum will provide a platform for discussions on labour, industrial relations, and the need for industrial harmony.
“Having the ILO Director-General at this forum is a privilege and an opportunity to address the country’s labour crisis,” Oyerinde said.
He recalled that previous attempts to create a more harmonious industrial relations system had not yielded the desired results, necessitating the need for the forum.
“Three years ago, we introduced a concept aimed at bringing all stakeholders in the labour and industrial ecosystem together, especially since the national institutions responsible for this seem to be ineffective.
“We believe it is necessary for another institution to take the lead in addressing the challenges facing the labour and industrial relations sector,” D-G said.
Also speaking, Dr Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, expressed excitement about Houngbo’s visit, describing it as a historic moment and strategic opportunity for dialogue on labour issues in the country.
“Nigeria has played a key role in the ILO, and the Director-General’s visit is a significant opportunity for engagement with our constituent members.
“We have been implementing various projects in Nigeria, and this visit will provide an opportunity for the ILO leadership to gain first-hand insight into the challenges faced by the country’s labour sector,” Phala said.
According to her, social dialogue is at the core of the ILO’s work and that Houngbo’s presence at the forum will help facilitate discussions on key issues affecting employers and workers in Nigeria.
“His presence will be instrumental in fostering dialogue and providing a platform for stakeholders to engage on matters of mutual interest and national importance,” she added