NASS To Enact Law On Workers Safety

The National Assembly will soon come out with a law to ensure that work places are safe for employees.

Already, the bill christened “Work Place Safety Bill” is before the Senate for final consideration as soon as it re-convenes in September.

Senator Wilson Ake representing Rivers East Senatorial District disclosed this in an interview with The Tide correspondent at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

Senator Ake, sponsor of the bill, explained that when passed into law,  it will mandate work places or employers to take the responsibility of ensuring the safety of their workers more seriously as well as compensate those who may sustain injury.

According to Senator Ake, who is also the chairman, Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, the bill described as “Workers Friendly Bill” will be one of the fastest to be considered when we come back”, adding that the bill will make workers build confidence in their work places and promote competence and high productivity.

Similarly, he hinted that a bill on kidnapping is receiving attention from the Senate just as the Senate had raised a motion against kidnapping, which he noted, is a criminal offence that attracts severe disciplinary measure.

The bill, Senator Ake said has gone through the first reading, stating that the Senate had earlier called for a national summit on the general security of the country.

“We believe that within a short period, everything will be put in place because the president himself is highly concerned about the menace called kidnap. The executive arm is taking some steps to ensure that this menace is drastically reduced”, he stressed.

The lawmaker observed that most people involving in criminal activities attribute it to lack of employment but argued that “that is not enough reason for them to involve in risky actions that might ruin their lives and others.”

Acknowledging that it is the responsibility of the government to provide jobs for its citizens, Senator Ake reminded Nigerian youths that the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has elaborate plan for those who wish to acquire skills to be self-employed and enjoined them to avail themselves of the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities and ventures.

Shedie Okpara