Labour Urges FG To Align With Global Call For Elimination Of Child Labour

 Labour Urges FG To Align With Global Call For Elimination Of Child Labour 

LAGOS  – The Organised Labour in the country has called on the Federal Government to align with the global call for the elimination of child labour 

The leaderships of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), also called on the government to make social protection programme a priority as a way of eliminating child labour. 

Both labour centers in a separate interview to mark World Day Against Child Labour, theme is titled: “Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour’’, said it will be a challenge to Nigeria and other developing countries if do not align with the global agenda to achieve the issue of trying to eliminate child labour. 

It would be recalled that at the recent International Labour Conference (ILC), in Geneva, Switzerland, Guy Ryder , Director-General, the International Labor Organisation (ILO), had said COVID-19 pandemic has put millions at risk due to rising poverty, inequality and school closures. 

Ryder said without decisive counter measures taken by governments, the number of children in child labour could rise by almost nine to 169 million by end of 2022. 

He said social protection is one of the most powerful measures to prevent child labour and provide families with income security in difficult times. 

Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the NLC President, said that it was imperative for Nigerian government to align with the global call for the elimination of child labour in the country. 

“It will be a challenge to Nigeria and other developing countries if do not align with the global agenda to achieve the issue of trying to eliminate child labour.

“Why because, in most cases the bread winners have no means of sustaining their families, and therefore in most cases children are also used to support the family income, particularly in Africa. 

“The shortage of social security cover also put a lot of people in jeopardy, particularly the workers, pensioner, are not been paid as at when due or even gratuity and you will see people protesting, ’’he said. 

The NLC president added that Nigeria as a country cannot isolate itself from the global world as the continuous increase of child labour is a threat to all. 

According to him, if we want to address the issue of insecurity, social vices, we must also cater for all our citizens whether they are employed or not, young people or not. 

“We must be able to align ourselves with the global thinking, with the global agenda, particularly to end child labour and I think it is a priority. 

“We must try assiduously do our best as a country, we cannot use our predicament, our challenge as an excuse not to actually implement this very laudable agenda.”