Organised labour leaders on Wednesday in Abuja called for the strict and effective implementation of the newly inaugurated National Industrial Relations Policy (NIRP), warning that it must go beyond paper commitments to deliver tangible improvements in workers’ welfare, wages, and workplace conditions across Nigeria.
The call was made during the official launch of the policy by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, with key stakeholders, including labour unions and employers’ representatives, participating in discussions aimed at shaping its direction and impact.
Speaking at the event, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Joe Ajaero, represented by the Assistant General Secretary of the union, Mr. Echezona Asuzu, said workers expected the policy to reduce hardship, strengthen industrial harmony, and promote decent work standards.
Ajaero said the policy was developed through consultations with major stakeholders, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA). He, however, stressed that its true value would only be measured through effective implementation.
“This policy must not end as a document,” Ajaero said, adding that “its success will be judged by how it improves the lives of workers.”
He expressed concern that Nigerian workers continued to face low wages, casualisation, poor working conditions, and worsening economic hardship. He called for stronger enforcement of labour laws, respect for collective bargaining agreements, and enhanced protection of workers’ rights, warning that industrial harmony could not exist without justice.
Ajaero added that organised labour would continue to resist exploitation and advocate fairness in the workplace.
Also speaking at the event, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Mr. Festus Osifo, represented by the Secretary-General, Mr. Nuhu Toro, commended the Ministry of Labour and Employment for what he described as an inclusive process in developing the policy.
Osifo, however, said workers remained under severe pressure due to rising living costs, declining real wages, unsafe workplaces, and persistent violations of labour rights.
He said organised labour was approaching the policy with “guided optimism”, but warned that it must not become another policy document that fails at the implementation stage.
Osifo urged the authorities to establish strong enforcement mechanisms, ensure accountability, and impose sanctions where labour standards are violated.
He stressed that labour would continue to demand dignity, fairness, and humane working conditions, insisting that anything less would be unacceptable.
