Nigeria Restates Call For Full Democratization Of ILO

The Federal Government has once again called for the full democratization of the International Labour Organization (ILO), so as to ensure full, equal and democratic participation of the member states in its governance.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, made the appeal at the virtual meeting of the Tripartite Working Group of the ILO Governing Board, during which a comprehensive report on democratization of ILO governance was presented.
Aligning Nigeria with the Africa position which Ethiopia presented, the minister noted that the long history of democratization of the ILO featured in the amendment of its constitution in 1986, with the subsequent call for the ratification of the amendment instrument.
Ngige, in a statement issued by his media office, regretted that the amendments were yet to take effect after more than three decades they were initiated, due to reservations by some member states against its ratification.
He further noted that the Centenary Declaration in 2019 provided another opportunity to revisit the democratization, hence the setting up of a Tripartite Working Group co-cheered by Nigeria and Switzerland.
According to him, “My delegation commends the Working Group and the cooperation of members for successfully guiding focus discussion and dialogue on its mandate. The identification and deliberation of major impediments to the ratification by some member states in the constitution is both instructive and commendable.
“The outcome of the discussion which enjoyed majority support culminated in the submission of the conference resolution for recommendation to the 109th session of the ILC for adoption.
“The unrelenting push for the ratification of the amendments will send a clear signal about our collective resolve to work the talk in building an inclusive world class assembly for all member states.”
The minister also called for the extension of the lifespan of the Tripartite Working Group to enable it fully achieve its objectives.
He said, “Nigeria is optimistic that the expected threshold for entering into force of the instrument of ratification will be achieved if the life span of the Tripartite Working Group is extended for another 12 months.”