Review of Nigeria’s labour laws imperative to industrial harmony – Kanyib

By UFOMBA UZUEGBU

At its first-ever National Labour Forum tagged Labour Adjudication in Nigeria: The Present and the Future, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association of Nigeria (NECA) blazed the trail towards conflict resolution in the labour sector to address contentious issues between employers and employees.

The event was held at the NECA Auditorium, Ikeja, Lagos, and attracted eminent personalities from all walks of life.

In his keynote address, the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyib stressed the need for a constant review of labour laws to meet international standards.

He said a new labour jurisprudence is now on the horizon that would set the benchmark for justice in both labour and industrial sectors.

According to Kanyib, what is going on is like a revolution, as past labour laws do not adequately address and resolve issues in the industrial and labour sectors.

He stated that labour laws should be reviewed constantly to meet international standards.

Justice Kanyib said this would shape labour adjudication now and in the future and help address problems in the industrial sector, including employer and employee friction.

He also stated that the legislative arm of the government has set the ball rolling as the jurisdiction of the NICN has been expanded from mere trade disputes and inter and intra-union disputes to cover many areas.

He also said that the NIC often relies on the benchmark of the International Labour Organization (ILO), due to the dynamism of its law in settling disputes to satisfy both employers and employees.

Justice Kanyib argued that adjudication could not be static,  as many relevant laws and judgements are relied on when judgement is given. 

He challenged lawyers to return to school to study the new labour jurisprudence and commended NECA for working towards conflict resolutions in the labour sector through the forum.

While speaking on frictions between employers and employees, the immediate past President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba called for respect for mutual agreements and conformity with the standards of the ILO.

According to Wabba, workers embark on strike when their fundamental rights are trampled upon or when agreements are not fulfilled. 

The right to strike is legal, and globally even in advanced economies when the fundamental conditions of workers are infringed upon, Wabba stated.

The panel of discussions at the forum agreed that there was a need for justice to be administered in labour suits according to international standards.

They believed that Nigeria should set the standards of the ILO in resolving labour disputes as its benchmark. 

According to the NECA leadership, the forum has become imperative to create a platform for stakeholders to align perspectives and deepen collaboration for industrial peace and national development.

The association stated that the stance taken by the NICN had deepened the need for regular interactions between parties in industrial relations in the country.

NECA used the occasion to honour Wabba for his support and collaboration with NECA and for addressing and finding solutions to many issues.

The day’s highlight was a NECA presentation of a giant carved image of himself to Comrade Wabba.