The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja reaffirmed its commitment to protecting workers’ rights, pledging closer collaboration with trade unions to review outdated labour laws, strengthen occupational safety standards and promote inclusive development across workplaces.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammadu Dingyadi, made the pledge while addressing delegates at the 7th National Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW). The event, themed “Abuja 2025: Building Trade Unions’ Future through Strategic Organising and Investments”, brought together union leaders and stakeholders to deliberate on the future of workers in a rapidly changing labour environment.
Represented by Mr. Amos Falonipe, Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, Dingyadi said the Federal Government recognised trade unions as “strategic partners” in promoting decent work, industrial peace and economic resilience.
He explained that the Ministry was implementing policy reforms, capacity-building programmes and improved access to labour market data, while strengthening the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) to enable unions to plan more effectively.
“We will continue to engage with unions on critical issues such as the review of outdated labour laws, the implementation of occupational safety standards, the promotion of gender equity and youth employment, and support for union-led investment initiatives,” the minister said.
Dingyadi commended NUCECFWW for its “watchdog role” in negotiating fair wages and safe working conditions, while ensuring compliance with labour laws and occupational safety measures.
Also speaking, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, called on unions to strengthen themselves through strategic organising and investments. “The road is not smooth, and the one ahead even rougher. We must not be deterred, for history has never given the working class victories without struggles. In the midst of the present economic hardship, we must take action to save ourselves from hunger and starvation,” he said.
NUCECFWW President, Stephen Okoro, described the past four years as turbulent for both workers and employers, linking the fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira to massive devaluation, rising inflation, job losses, factory closures and worsening hunger.
“The theme of this conference became expedient based on the dangers industrial unions are facing when it comes to building trade union futures in these hard times,” Okoro said.
He urged unions to build sustainable financial models, invest in member training and education, and establish union-owned ventures to safeguard workers’ welfare amid economic challenges.
