By Chinedu Echianu
The Federal Government, Abia State Government and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have renewed efforts to extend social protection coverage to millions of Nigerian workers in the informal economy, who are largely excluded from conventional social security arrangements.
The move is aimed at expanding workers’ access to healthcare, pension benefits, maternity protection, occupational safety and other essential social security provisions through inclusive policies, stronger social dialogue and institutional collaboration.
According to a press statement signed by Annah Daniel, Head of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the commitment was reaffirmed at a Social Dialogue Engagement on Extending Social Protection to Workers in the Informal Economy held in Abia State.
According to the statement, government officials, employers, workers’ organisations, informal sector associations and other stakeholders used the opportunity to deliberate on sustainable ways of addressing the social security challenges facing informal sector workers.
Governor Alex Otti, who was represented by the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Ngozi Blessing Felix, said his administration was committed to policies that protect workers, improve livelihoods and expand access to social security, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Otti noted that informal sector workers constitute a significant part of Abia State’s economic activities and should not be denied social protection benefits because their employment arrangements fall outside the conventional formal sector.
He maintained that access to healthcare, pensions, maternity protection and occupational safety should be regarded as essential components of decent work and inclusive economic development.
The governor also pledged the state’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government and the ILO to establish practical and sustainable social protection mechanisms, stressing the importance of social dialogue in developing policies that address the concerns of workers, employers and other stakeholders.
Similarly, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, represented by the Director of Social Security and Cooperative Development, Franca Adiekweh, described the extension of social protection to informal economy workers as a major priority of the Federal Government’s labour and employment policy.
Dingyadi observed that millions of Nigerians working in the informal sector contribute significantly to national productivity, economic growth and wealth creation but remain vulnerable to economic shocks, occupational hazards, inadequate healthcare and limited retirement security.
The minister urged stakeholders to translate discussions into concrete recommendations that would guarantee wider social protection coverage, particularly for women, young people, artisans, traders, agricultural workers, domestic workers and transport operators.
