The Federal Government on Monday revealed that the Ministry of Labour was not set up to handle only issues and crisis that have to do with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU alone.
This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, in Abuja, while speaking at a one-day workshop for Labour reporters.
She added that the responsibilities of the ministry are very essential to the existence of humans.
She said it’s very fundamental for Nigerians, to have full understanding of the responsibilities, shouldered by the Ministry.
She added that it’s the function of the ministry to make sure workplaces are conducive and safe and maintain healthy status of all those working in both private and public settings in the country.
She said, “Consequently, inadequate knowledge of the workings of these departments, which embody the essence of the ministry, would invariably lead to unsatisfactory reportage of their activities, and ultimately the ministry’s mandates.
“One of the ways to rectify this, is to equip you, Labour correspondents, with the necessary background information, which is integral to balanced, in-depth and impactful reportage. For this purpose, the workshop is expected to scale up and update your knowledge of this aspect of the Ministry’s mandates, for a corresponding effective and qualitative reportage on it.
“The workshop will also serve to refresh your memory, and bring you up to date, on the provisions of national laws and policies, as well as international laws and regulations on Occupational Safety and Health, especially ILO Conventions 155 and 187.
“As you may be aware, the 110th International Labour Conference (ILC), held this year in Geneva, added safety and health to the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
“The Occupational Safety and Health, and Inspectorate departments are at the helm of driving and delivering the Ministry’s mandate on the promotion of safe and healthy environment in the nation’s workplaces, through factory and labour inspections, and other activities and programmes.
“These two departments have significant roles to play in the success of Government’s policies and programmes in the labour sector, as they ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of workers through the enforcement of extant Labour laws.
“Therefore, it is important that the media understand some of their major work dynamics and how they deliver on this mandate.”