By Asmau Ahmad
The Nigeria Government has called for support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said this at the ongoing 110th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ngige was responding to the report of the Director-General of the ILO, Mr Guy Ryder.
Ngige, represented by Daju Kachollom, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the support was imperative due to the current state of growing inequality gap. “We consider that the achievement of the SDGs by 2030 is at a great risk.
“If the goal of “not leaving any one behind” is ever to be realized, urgent effort, support and contribution will be required by all in a renewed commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation,” he said.
He said the report of the Director-General on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) – Crisis, structural transformation and the Future of Work was appropriate for the debate.
The minister said that this was in view of the multiple implications of current global challenges.
Ngige added that the analysis of the character and challenges of the labour markets index of the 46 LDCs raise some concerns.
According to him, this is especially in the light of the impact and slow recovery progress of many economies after the pandemic.
“The volume of job losses and the established link between social justice and global peace should provoke honest debate at this conference. The wave of insecurity, terrorism, food scarcity, rising cost of energy, impact of COVID-19, among others should challenge our common humanity and shared international relations.
“These are consummate recipes for global socio-economic disruption and widening inequality,” he said.
The minister added that the ripple effect of the deteriorating situation in these 45 LDCs was capable of eroding the gains of the developing and developed economies.
“Our response should go beyond statistics and rhetoric to plans which will stimulate economic activities to generate decent jobs for the teeming unemployed youths who yearn for dignified life,” Ngige said.
According to him, Nigeria has over the years upheld the four pillars of the Decent Work Agenda as well as the Strategic Objectives of the ILO.
He noted that currently the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (EGRP) of 2017 to 2020 is being rolled into National Development Plan 2021-2025.
He said that this takes into cognisance achievements from preceding activities, programmes and projects with well defined key performance indicators as guide.
