FG, Abia promise wider social protection for informal workers

The Federal Government and Abia Government have reaffirmed commitment to expanding social protection for informal economy workers through inclusive policies and stronger social dialogue.

The commitment was reaffirmed at a Social Dialogue Engagement on Extending Social Protection to Workers in the Informal Economy, held in Abia.

The event brought together relevant stakeholders to discuss ways of improving social security access for informal sector workers.

The development is contained in a statement signed by Ms Anne Daniel, Head of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

Speaking, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia reiterated his administration’s commitment to policies that protect workers, improve livelihoods and expand social security access.

Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Ngozi Felix, said informal sector workers contributed significantly to economic activities.

He said they deserved adequate social protection, regardless of their employment arrangements or exclusion from conventional formal employment structures.

According to him, access to healthcare, pensions, maternity protection, occupational safety and other essential benefits remained fundamental to decent work.

He described these provisions as critical to inclusive economic development and improved workers’ welfare.

“Abia State Government recognises the importance of social dialogue as an effective instrument for developing policies that respond to the needs of workers, employers and other stakeholders,” he said.

Otti assured stakeholders of the state’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government and International Labour Organisation (ILO).

He said the partnership would help establish sustainable social protection mechanisms for informal economy workers.

Earlier, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, described extending social protection to informal workers as a Federal Government labour policy priority.

Dingyadi, represented by the Director of Social Security and Cooperative Development, Mrs Franca Adiekweh, said informal workers contributed significantly to national productivity and economic growth.

He, however, noted that millions remained vulnerable to economic shocks, occupational hazards, inadequate healthcare and limited retirement security.

The minister said the Federal Government would collaborate with the ILO and state governments to promote inclusive social protection systems.

He identified policy reforms and effective implementation strategies as essential to achieving the objective.

Dingyadi described social dialogue as critical to building consensus, strengthening trust and ensuring stakeholders participated actively in policy development.

He urged participants to develop practical recommendations for expanding social protection access among women, youths, artisans, traders and agricultural workers.

He also acknowledged the ILO’s technical expertise and continued support for decent work, social security and inclusive labour governance in Nigeria.

The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights and ensuring no category of Nigerian workers was excluded from social protection.

Also, Dr Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting federal and state governments.

She said the support would strengthen social protection systems and advance decent work principles across the country.

Phala described social protection as essential to reducing poverty, promoting social justice and improving workers’ welfare.

She also said it was important for building resilient economies.

She called for stronger institutional frameworks, sustainable financing, public awareness and effective coordination among relevant stakeholders.

Participants identified stronger social dialogue structures, improved registration and data collection as priorities for expanding social protection.

They also advocated affordable health insurance, accessible pension schemes, sensitisation and capacity building.

The participants further called for collaboration with trade unions, market associations, cooperatives and informal sector groups to ensure effective implementation.