The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) are jointly calling for stronger incentives and firmer regulations to promote responsible business conduct and decent work practices among employers in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja during a national dialogue on responsible business and decent work, representatives from the three bodies urged the government to adopt a balanced approach that encourages good corporate behaviour while penalising violations. They stressed the need to support businesses, particularly those struggling with limited resources, to adopt ethical and human-centred practices.
The General Secretary of ITUC-Africa said that some businesses simply lack the knowledge or tools to improve their workplace standards. He called on the government to offer tangible incentives to help companies build internal capacity while also holding them accountable for upholding workers’ rights and ensuring safe working environments. He also urged the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and other private sector players to lead by example by adhering strictly to labour laws, noting that compliance would cover most of the essential components of responsible business conduct.
In a similar vein, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), represented by its General Secretary, highlighted the direct connection between sustainable business and economic resilience. Stressing that fair treatment of workers is not a burden but an investment, he described decent work as central to industrial harmony, productivity, and national stability. He lamented the growing trends of wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and casual labour that have undermined dignity in the workplace, saying these practices represent deeper systemic issues that must be urgently addressed.
TUC noted that decent work, which includes employment creation, rights at work, social protection, and social dialogue, is not an abstract goal but a concrete strategy for building enduring and inclusive economic systems. It also challenged businesses to see ethical labour practices not as costs but as commitments to long-term sustainability.
Echoing this stance, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, represented by the union’s Head of Information, criticised what he described as exploitative practices by multinational corporations operating in Nigeria. He argued that while these companies uphold high labour standards in their home countries, they often apply double standards when operating in Africa. He condemned practices such as starvation wages, poor safety standards, child labour, and environmental neglect, warning that Nigerian workers deserve the same level of dignity and protection as any others worldwide.
He called for urgent government action to hold corporations accountable and insisted that organised labour will no longer tolerate corporate misconduct disguised as foreign investment. He demanded that multinationals stop paying lip service to workers’ welfare and instead deliver real reforms—starting with living wages, union rights, safe workplaces, and transparent supply chains.
The NLC also urged the federal government to take the lead in enforcing labour laws more effectively. They called for the ratification of ILO Convention 190, which addresses violence and harassment in the workplace, and pushed for the empowerment of labour inspectors. They also stressed the need for genuine engagement with workers, especially when they report abuses.
From the perspective of international development, the ILO’s Country Director, Dr Vanessa Phala, emphasised that responsible investment is vital to Africa’s long-term growth. She stated that initiatives like the African Union’s Agenda 2063 can only succeed when growth is inclusive and workers’ rights are safeguarded. According to her, ethical business practices not only improve economic outcomes but also reduce inequality and create a more balanced future for all.
Together, the labour movement and international partners are urging Nigeria’s public and private sectors to shift from rhetoric to action—where responsible business is not an exception, but the norm.
