Nigeria has again landed among the world’s worst countries for labour rights, says NLC.
The union calls it shameful and urges employers to help restore dignity and justice.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed serious concern over the country’s continued poor record on workers’ rights, following its inclusion once again among the world’s 10 worst countries for labour rights violations.
Describing the ranking as a “national embarrassment,” the NLC called on employers across the country to take the lead in reversing the negative trend and restoring dignity to the Nigerian workforce.
The NLC’s position was made public by its President, Joe Ajaero, during the 68th Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) held on Wednesday in Lagos. Ajaero was represented by NLC Deputy President and former President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Adewale Adeyanju.
According to Ajaero, the 2025 edition of the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) Global Rights Index once again ranked Nigeria among the worst violators of labour rights. He said many of these violations occur within organizations affiliated with NECA, urging the association to lead the charge in addressing the crisis.
“This ranking is a stain on our national conscience and a legacy none of us should accept. Many of the infractions highlighted by the report happen in enterprises represented in this hall,” he stated.
He urged NECA and its members to serve as models in promoting collective bargaining, respecting labour laws, and protecting workers’ dignity.
“I urge NECA to lead by example: uphold collective bargaining, respect labour laws, and reaffirm the dignity of the workforce,” he added.
Ajaero also advocated for stronger collaboration between employers and the labour movement, especially in implementing key resolutions from the recently concluded 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva. He noted that such joint efforts are essential in regulating emerging labour trends, particularly in the fast-growing digital and platform economy.
“Declarations alone will not suffice. We must work side by side to ensure these commitments become reality, protecting workers from the dangers of unregulated technology while also embracing its potential,” Ajaero emphasized.
The NLC president praised NECA’s Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, for promoting constructive dialogue, describing him as a key partner in the shared goal of ensuring industrial peace.
“His openness to dialogue has shown that we are not adversaries, but collaborators with a common interest in sustainable industrial development,” he noted.
Ajaero further urged NECA to support the adoption of key International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions into Nigeria’s labour framework, including the Convention and Recommendation on Decent Work in the Platform Economy and the Biohazards Convention aimed at enhancing health and safety at workplaces.
He also renewed the NLC’s call for the creation of a Standing Committee between NECA and the NLC to serve as a permanent platform for continuous dialogue and conflict resolution.
“This is no longer optional; it is the surest route to lasting industrial harmony,” he said.
Ajaero criticized recent attempts by some state governors and lawmakers to delist labour issues from the Exclusive Legislative List, warning that such moves could cause serious disruptions to national labour relations.
“These misguided efforts reflect a deep misunderstanding of the far-reaching chaos they could unleash. At a time like this, unity is our best defence,” he warned.
He also raised alarm over wider social and political issues affecting the labour landscape, including shrinking civic space, political repression, and rising economic exclusion.
“A vibrant civic space is not a luxury it is the foundation upon which both business and labour thrive. We must reclaim this space now eroded by insecurity and suppression,” he urged.
Concluding his remarks, Ajaero reminded employers of the indispensable role of workers in business success and national development, stressing that ethical treatment of labour is not just a moral duty but a business imperative.
“Profit without people is an empty pursuit, and progress without justice is an illusion. The worker you consider dispensable is also the consumer who sustains your business,” he remarked.
He congratulated NECA on its 68th AGM and expressed optimism that the gathering would lead to more equitable, productive, and people-focused workplaces across Nigeria.
