The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the International Labour and Arbitration Forum convened a high-level dialogue on Thursday to discuss strengthening access to labour justice amid evolving work environments. Stakeholders warned that delays, weak enforcement, and outdated laws could undermine industrial harmony in Nigeria.
The event, themed “Access to Labour Justice in a Rapidly Changing World of Work,” brought together judiciary, legislature, executive, security agencies, organised labour, academia, and diplomatic representatives. A keynote address by Ministro Lelio Bentes Corrêa of Brazil highlighted the importance of effective and independent labour adjudication systems, drawing from Brazil’s experience with specialised labour courts.
Corrêa stressed that digitalisation, platform work, artificial intelligence, and precarious employment require labour justice institutions to adapt while maintaining international standards, fairness, and dignity at work.
NECA President Ifeanyi Okoye noted that legal access is essential for social stability, investor confidence, and sustainable economic growth. He emphasised prevention through sound HR practices, effective communication, and social dialogue as the first line of defence in industrial relations.
Representatives from the Civil Service, National Assembly, DSS, legislative and labour institutes underscored the need for clear rules, updated laws, and evidence-based reforms to ensure access to justice for both formal and informal sector workers. The International Labour Organisation reinforced the importance of decent work, while the Industrial Arbitration Panel urged early use of mediation, conciliation, and arbitration.
Engr. Eyitope Osinowo of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment highlighted that labour compliance enhances competitiveness and investment attractiveness.
The dialogue concluded with a collective call for stronger institutions, modern laws, better enforcement, and deeper social dialogue to ensure fair, timely, and affordable labour justice for all Nigerian workers, particularly as technology and globalisation reshape the workplace.
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