The Nigerian senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to regulate, formalize employment of domestic workers, apprenticeship, interns and other informal sector employees in Nigeria.
The bill sponsored by Senator Sani musa (APC- Niger) seeks to empower the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, to issue license and monitor privately owned agencies.
According to senator Sani, the practice in the Informal sector is not in conformity with International Labour Organization, ILO, best practices as ratified in its convention which Nigeria is signatory to.
He added that the primary role of the bill will be to regulate the sector to promote rights at work, equal treatment, decent remuneration, safety and social protection.
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He further stated that employees’ rights in the informal sector are often oppressed and unfairly treated.
According to him, the bill seeks to correct all the ills against the workers.
The bill when passed will empower the NDE to receive application from agencies desirous to function as employment agencies and issue them license to operate.
Contributing, Senator Sabi Abdullahi (APC- Niger) said the bill would also make provision to protect employers as there have been instances where employee treat employers unfairly.
The bill has been referred to the senate Committee on Labour and Productivity for further action to report back in four weeks.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
