Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige has said the Federal Government is working hard to cushion the adverse effect of job losses caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
The minister also said the government was working to reduce poverty-induced crimes across the country.
Ngige spoke yesterday in Abuja while hosting a delegation of the French candidate for the office of the Secretary General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Muriel Penicaud, who sought Nigeria’s support for the election.
In a statement by the Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Charles Akpan, the minister noted that negative growth indices were worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic but assured his host that Nigeria was on the right track to overcome the challenges.
He said: “Inequality has been made worse by COVID-19 scourge, which has displaced many working persons, especially in the informal sector; those who earn their living by working daily. The majority of the population in Africa abounds in this bracket. When you talk about Africa, Nigeria takes 60 per cent of whatever you are talking about.
“As a government, we are battling to make up for the job losses, and to cut poverty-induced crimes. But, even as we do this, we also face a great youth bulge that has led many of them into crimes. So, the ILO needs a different approach than it currently does.”
The minister urged the ILO to assist Nigeria build schools and hospitals in areas prone to child labour.
“We reduce poverty through job creation and improvement in welfare. We need schools and hospitals in areas prone to child labour and trafficking. The ILO can help to bridge the gaps. That is the only way to nip them in the bud,” he said.
Penicaud said she was contesting to lead the ILO to bring about a new “tripartism of multi-country inclusion” and to “bring the ILO to the ground, to change life for the people”.
The aspirant stressed that only inclusiveness would bring about the desired change.