NECA, Forum Seek Stronger Institutions, Clearer Laws To Guarantee Labour Justice

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the International Labour Arbitration and Adjudication Forum (ILAAF) has called for stronger institutions, clearer legislation and deeper social dialogue to guarantee fair and timely access to labour justice in a rapidly evolving world of work.

The call was the central outcome of a high-level dialogue convened by the NECA in Abuja yesterday where participants from the judiciary, legislature, executive, security agencies, organised labour, academia and the diplomatic community deliberated on the theme, “Access to Labour Justice in a Rapidly Changing World of Work.”

Delivering the keynote address, minister of Brazil’s Superior Labour Court stressed the importance of independent and accessible labour adjudication systems in safeguarding social peace, economic competitiveness and fundamental rights.

He said that in an era defined by digitalisation, platform work and increasingly precarious forms of employment, labour courts and dispute resolution bodies must continually adapt their procedures and jurisprudence while remaining anchored in international labour standards and the principles of fairness and dignity at work.

President of NECA said the evolving nature of employment driven by technology, new work models and economic pressures requires institutions that are fair, efficient and trusted by both employers and workers.

He noted that access to legal justice is essential to social stability, investor confidence and sustainable economic growth.

“Access to legal justice is not a luxury. It is a necessity for social stability, investor confidence, and sustainable economic growth. The most effective dispute resolution system is one that prevents disputes through clear, sound human resource practices and effective communication, ”Okoye said.

The ministry of labour and employment also outlined efforts to review labour laws, enhance inspection systems and reinforce institutions such as the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) and the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP).

Director, trade union services and industrial relations, ministry of labour and employment, Falonipe Amos reaffirmed commitments to reforms aimed at strengthening access to justice.

The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero said access to labour justice must translate into real, enforceable remedies when rights are violated.

The national assembly pledged legislative collaboration with stakeholders to modernise labour statutes and extend protections to workers in both the formal and informal sectors.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour and Employment, Senator Diket Plang noted, “We are ready to work with NECA, organised labour and development partners to deliver a labour law framework fit for a rapidly changing economy,”

Development partners, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Embassy of Cuba, expressed support for Nigeria’s efforts to deepen social protection frameworks and advance decent work standards.

On their parts, security agencies linked labour justice to national stability, warning that unresolved workplace grievances can fuel social tension.

Research and training institutions, including National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), stressed the need for evidence-based legislation and capacity building to empower workers, employers and union leaders to resolve disputes lawfully and effectively.