The National Conference Committee on Civil Society, Labour, Youth and Sports, on Wednesday condemned the casualisation of labour by some employers in Nigeria.
Mrs Bola Ogunrinade told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that although the committee was yet to conclude its report, the issue of casualisation was prominent on its list.
Ogunrinade, who is the chairperson of the committee, said some employers of labour retained casual workers because they were not ready to pay gratuities, describing the act as “unacceptable’’.
“We have talked about casualisation of labour of some employers because they do not want to pay gratuities, they would rather keep casual workers and that is not good for the dignity of the worker because he is at the mercy of the employer.
“Any work you do must be a way of life, it shouldn’t be slave labour, it shouldn’t be work that you do with fear in your heart all the time,” she said.
Ogunrinade said that other salient issues which the committee was working on are child labour, youth unemployment, minimum wage and sports.
“We also talked about the issue of child labour; we know that only six states so far have adopted it. You still see children hawking their wares on the streets when they should be in school.
“We’ve look at the issue of youth extensively; we look at the different categorisation of youths. Youths, who are illiterates, drop outs from school, youths being used as sex workers, youths living in rural areas and youths who have been co-opted into crime.
“The bottom line is that the committee has talked about government taking the issue of youth seriously and having a national youth commission if possible.’’
She said that the civil societies were important to the sustenance of democracy, adding that they act as checks in the society to reinforce the dignity of the human being.
Ogunrinade, who is a delegate representing Osun state, said that the role of civil society organisations could not be undermined as they ensured quality living for the citizenry.
The chairperson said in its effort to come up with a workable report, the committee had invited resource persons from the Pension Commission, Social Insurance Trust Fund and the National Directorate of Employment.
