Business
Minister Urges Safe Workplaces For Employees
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu last Thursday in Lagos called for robust strategies aimed at promoting workers’ safety at workplaces.
Wogu spoke at the 2nd Annual General Meeting of the Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HUCaPAN).
The minister, who was represented by Alhaja Hafisat Arogundade, the Head of Lagos office of the ministry, also called for increased collaboration between the ministry and the association in ensuring conducive work environment in the country.
He decried what he called unethical practices by Private Employment Agencies (PEAs) which, he said had constituted challenge to the government’s development agenda.
Wogu said that the government had licensed PEAs and labour contractors as part of efforts to promote human rights and employment.
“The need to license PEAs arose from incessant reports of unfair labour practices and the need to regulate parallel and multiple levels of recruitment in the country.
“The licensing will restore respect for the dignity of labour because PEAs play a key role in human capital development by ensuring that they are beneficial to the worker, the recruiting company and the nation,’’ the minister said.
He said that the Federal Government was committed to creating a conducive work environment in the country.
The President of HUCaPAN, Mr Alexander Emedo, promised that the association would partner with the ministry to ensure that all registered PEAs joined HUCaPAN.
“With the partnership, it will be made mandatory for employees in the PEAs to be pensionable, have health insurance as well as group life insurance,’’ he said.
Emedo identified poor power supply, transportation system and national security as factors impeding the growth of the country’s economy.
In his address, Mr Segun Oshinowo, the Director General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), stressed the need for rights of workers to be protected.
He urged stakeholders to live up to their billings in a bid to create a better society.