PROFESSOR Emeka Emmanuel Okafor of the Industrial Sociology and Employment Relations, University of Ibadan, has proposed a multi-stakeholder approach to address non-standard employment in Nigeria.
This, he stated, would involve the government, ministries, employers, trade unions, higher institutions, and NGOs.
He emphasised the need for a comprehensive analysis to reduce the plight of non-standard workers and ensure a just, fair, and equitable society.
Professor Okafor made the recommendations while delivering the 562nd Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan on behalf of the Faculty of the Social Sciences.
The title of the lecture was ‘The Periphery of the Periphery: Exploring the Experiences of Non-standard Workers.’
Professor Okafor noted that the phenomenon of non-standard work is not peculiar to Nigeria, saying “’t is a global issue and it goes it by different names or appellations which may include; part-time workers, outsourced workers, temporary workers, on-call workers, ad-hoc workers, contract workers, undocumented workers, seasonal workers, flexible workers, continent workers among others.”
He explained further that non-standard work poses numerous challenges to these workers, including but not limited to low wages, limited benefits, lack of union representation, and job insecurity.
According to him, in every society, the prevalence of the nature and quality of available work reflects its socio-economic and political arrangements.
He added that “what exists in capitalist societies is driven by profit maximisation, where employers seek to minimise labour costs while maximising profits.”
Such drive, he stated “often leads to the proliferation of non-standard arrangements such as contract work, casual work, part-time work, and flexible work prevalent in developing countries like Nigeria. “
Addressing non-standard employment, the don called on the government to be critical in playing its crucial role in setting labour standards, protecting workers’ rights, and ensuring decent work.
He also identified the government roles to include regulating non-standard workers, combating youth unemployment, establishing national social protection systems, and strengthening labour inspection.
He called on other stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, private employers, trade unions, higher institutions, as well as non-governmental organisations to get fully-involved.
He charged all stakeholders to mobilise and implement collaborative strategies to achieve decent work and dignity for all workers, regardless of their employment status.
