inister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige said yesterday that the Buhari administration would tackle unemployment and underemployment through diversification of the economy.
The minister said the government was diverting attention from a mono-economy and promoting agriculture, solid minerals and outsources of revenue to drive the economy and ensure job creation through entrepreneurship.
Speaking at a National Dialogue on Future of Work Initiative organised by the ministry in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the minister said the dialogue would serve as a roadmap in addressing unemployment
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Clement Illoh, Ngige said the seminar is essential if we must develop strategies to address challenges and changes in the World of Work.
He identified some of such challenges as climate change, casualisation, contract work, information and communication technology, working from home, outsourcing.
According to him, the labour organisation, pursuant to its objective of humanising work, ahead of its centenary anniversary in 2019, initiated four areas to guide members in responding to the dialogue on the future of work initiative.
The areas are Work and society, Decent jobs for all, Organisation for work and Production, and Governance at work.
Ngige stressed that the National Dialogue on Future of Work Initiative will open an opportunity for the advancement of ILO’s mandate for social justice through stakeholders’ reflection on the Future of Work.
He maintained that ILO will establish a High-level Commission on the Future of Work to organise its 2019 108th Session in Geneva, Switzerland, at its centenary where report of the commission will be discussed.
The minister said the dialogue would not only serve as an input into the High-level Commission’s Report in 2017, but will also become the roadmap in addressing unemployment.
He stressed that the Buhari government would promote inclusive and sustainable economic development, productive employment and creation of decent jobs for youths.