The Federal Government has urged employers of labour in Nigeria to obtain clearance from the government before sacking their staff due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on their businesses.
This was announced by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige during his workers day speech on May 1 where he said further that the Federal Government was focused on creating jobs during this period.
Labour across the world have been hit hard by the effects of the coronavirus as massive job losses and business collapse has characterised this period.
Ngige said the government was in talks with employers of labour regarding job protection for their employees but employers who wished to sack any of their staff should discuss with the Federal Government before doing such.
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“All relevant factors to the nation’s workforce will be identified, analysed, and solidified to ensure job retention and the continued realization of the decent work agenda,” he said.
“In doing this, we will be guided by the labour standards as benchmarks for social and employment protection at this time of vulnerabilities.
“Along this line, talks are currently ongoing between the Presidential Economic Sustainability Council and Employers on job protection and even job creation at this time and progressively to post Covid-19 crisis.
“I wish to state that employers will not be encouraged to disengage staff without prerequisite Social Dialogue and clearance from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.”
The Minister also revealed that a special hazard and inducement allowance has been approved for health workers in the country.
“Also, Group Life Insurance Policy has been activated for all workers in the Federal Government Public Service as well as Employees’ Compensation for injuries, disabilities sustained and even death in the course of discharging their duties.”