Following the conclusion of the 111th International Labour Conference (ILC) held in Geneva, Switzerland, the adoption of a recommendation on quality apprenticeships has emerged as a significant outcome. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) aims to support continuous skill development for individuals of all ages, especially in rapidly evolving labor markets.
The recommendation entails a precise definition of apprenticeships and sets forth ambitious criteria for high-quality apprenticeships, including safeguards and rights for apprentices.
In an interview with Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), he discusses various issues such as the apprenticeship culture, job security, and unfair employment practices. Ajaero specifically points fingers at the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Labour and Employment, for the rise in casualization, worker outsourcing, and other forms of exploitative employment practices.
Labour’s Indictment: International Labour Conference Adopts New Standard on Quality Apprenticeships
Following the conclusion of the 111th International Labour Conference (ILC) held in Geneva, Switzerland, the adoption of a recommendation on quality apprenticeships has emerged as a significant outcome. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) aims to support continuous skill development for individuals of all ages, especially in rapidly evolving labor markets.
The recommendation entails a precise definition of apprenticeships and sets forth ambitious criteria for high-quality apprenticeships, including safeguards and rights for apprentices.
In an interview with Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), he discusses various issues such as the apprenticeship culture, job security, and unfair employment practices. Ajaero specifically points fingers at the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Labour and Employment, for the rise in casualization, worker outsourcing, and other forms of exploitative employment practices.
“So apprenticeship is a practice that is traditional in our institutions. However, the ILO’s idea is the payment of stipends during the apprenticeship and having them unionized. We were on the same page with employers on this, but when it came to the issue of unionizing those on apprenticeship, employers suddenly changed.
“Those apprentices have the right to belong to the Union, how it will work, and how it is structured. These are parts of details that could be discussed through social dialogue.”
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“The issue of job protection is sad because there are even no jobs. So, what are we protecting? Countries like ours have to capture the number of people that are within the unemployment brackets and underemployment brackets. A lot of people in Nigeria are underemployed. In the absence of Social Security or social safety, you have a lot of people who are unemployed, and you are talking about job protection. It is a big problem that we are in.
“It is the same with the issue of casualization and outsourcing. The Ministry of Labour does not seem to have an answer to this. Rather, the Ministry of Labour in Nigeria is even trying to get unions to sign an agreement with employers, legalizing casualization. Those that are casualized or outsourced should and must belong to Union. How long will they remain as casual or outsourced workers?
“To worsen the matter, within a period, probably after every two years or even one year, they disengage these casuals and bring in another sect of casuals. It is something that we will have to look at as a national policy and ensure that somebody cannot be outsourced forever. Somebody cannot be a casual worker forever. So we need a new direction towards it.”
