The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), has launched the Decent Work Country Programme CWCP III (2023-2027) to address the challenges and opportunities for productive employment and decent work in Nigeria.
At the launching ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, said that the programme aims to accelerate and sustain inclusive and private sector-led growth in the country’s workforce.
He said that DWCP III would provide strategies to mitigate further job losses and address the decent work deficits in the country, such as informality, working poverty, child labour, forced labour, human trafficking, obsolete labour laws, insufficient labour inspection, poor working conditions, and gaps in social dialogue.
He also said that DWCP III would also ensure that existing and new jobs in both the public and private sectors are productive, provide opportunities for career progress, and offer social protection benefits.
He expressed his appreciation to the ILO for its technical and financial support, and urged all the social partners and stakeholders to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
Also director, ILO country office for Nigeria, Vanessa Phala, explained that the programme will support the government of Nigeria in implementing and achieving the aspirations of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises, amongst others, job creation, livelihood, and inclusivity for a better Nigeria.
She called on all the partners in Nigeria to build a strong partnership and support the government’s effort to promote inclusive and sustainable growth through productive employment and decent work which she said can be achieved through the implementation of the DWCP.