COVID -19: Engage more CSOs to help increase labour transparency, Group tells FG

Accountability Lab, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has called on the Federal Government to engage more with the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to help increase labour transparency and accountability in government as regards information of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Executive Director, Friday Odey who was represented by the Project Assistant, Mnennga Shiiwua at the virtual Consultative Meeting on Impacts of COVID-19 in Business and Human Rights organised by Global Rights Organisation adding that with such, people will begin to see the direction of the government.

He said “ There is the need for more interaction and intervention from the Federal Government because a lot of people don’t believe that there is COVID-19”

“People are not properly captured , there has been restriction of movement and many CSOs don’t have a strong hold ,” he said.

Also, the Industrial Relations/Legal Officer of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Thompson Akpabio said since the inception of the COVID pandemic, 90 percent have limited cash flows in the business economy, 90 percent whose goods couldn’t be cleared and some their supply chain was disrupted .

He said some sectors were badly affected as 74.2 percent was closed down and tax were slowed down, salaries were being slashed and inability of companies to meet up with their financial obligations.

While reacting ,Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, William Alo said the COVID -19 has brought a lot of hardship on households, employment and the restriction of movement have amounted to job losses.

The Perm Sec who was represented by the Director of Inspectorate in the Ministry, Alhaji Ajuwon Adeniyi said 95 percent businesses have been shut down during this period amounting to huge income losses .

He said the situation has established an alarming rate of poverty and unemployment with the most vulnerable people in the society affected .

He said though , no stone is left unturned to cushion the effect of COVID 19 and the federal government has continued to pay salaries for those even working from home .

He said the Minister of Labour is also ensuring that this is also applicable in the private sector and the FG has also insisted to avoid sacking workers without furniture processes under the labour law.

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