Skip to main content

Domestic Workers' Bill: CEE-HOPE Pushes for Unionisation, Minimum Wage as Senate Considers Proposed Bill.



A non-governmental organisation committed to the protection of rights of women and children, CEE-HOPE, has defended the rights of domestic workers in Nigeria to unionise, be treated with dignity and be included in the National Minimum Wage bill that was recently passed by the Senate.

The public hearing held on July 22,  was part of the legislative process in the working of a bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Documentation and Protection of Domestic Workers and the Employers and for Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2024.(SB. 272)”  The Bill was sponsored by the Senator representing Jigawa North-West, Babangida Hussaini. 


At the opening of the public hearing, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Senate under his leadership would give utmost consideration to the proposed bill and work tirelessly to ensure its swift passage.  

The Senate President later announced that Domestic Workers are covered by the Minimum Wage Bill passed on July 24 by the Senate. 

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang, assured that the Bill would receive priority attention because persons mostly recruited as domestic workers in Nigeria are children and girls under the age of 18. He said despite their invaluable contributions, they are often subjected to exploitation, abuse and discrimination, a menace the Bill seeks to address by providing a legal framework for the documentation and protection of domestic workers and their employers.

Plang said about the Bill: “It will require employers to register their domestic workers with appropriate authorities, provide them with a written contract that outlines their rights and responsibilities. Likewise, the employers are also being protected from some domestic workers that may cause havoc to the families they are employed to take care of.”

Betty Abah, women and children's rights activist and founder of CEE-HOPE, who has been a strong advocate for the rights of domestic workers in Nigeria, presented the NGO's memorandum at the hearing in which she made a strong case for their unionisation as prescribed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) ‘Convention 189’ passed in 2011 and which Nigeria, a member state, adopted but has yet to domesticate.

"By adopting the ILO's Convention 189 which prescribes fair working conditions for domestic workers among which is unionisation, a lot of progress would be made as they would be aware of their human and labour rights, get fair wages and be part of the mainstream, organised labour. This is possible because it is already in force in several countries including African countries like South Africa and Kenya," said Abah.

Present at the one-day event were several senators and dignitaries including Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West), Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) amongst others who also made remarks and recommendations. 
The meeting also drew several stakeholders including the National Council for Women Society, the National Human Rights Commission, Nannies Academy, journalists and several others, many of whom also made presentations. 

Also at the hearing was Mrs. Angela Abah Odah, Country Manager of the Rosaluxemburg Foundation West Africa which supports CEE-HOPE's campaign on the rights of domestic workers in Nigeria as well as several of CEE-HOPE's Abuja-based volunteers.

Mrs. Odah expressed both satisfied and dissatisfaction at the meeting. "It is it a huge step in the right direction  that Senator Babagida Uba is pushing this bill on domestic work, in view of the fact that its coming 13 years after Nigeria signed convention 189 and its additional protocols but no attempt made to domesticate it," she said.
 "Domestic Workers play strategic roles in the running of our homes and suffer in all forms of violence and exploitation in the process.Strengthening the legal framework guiding their working conditions is a revolutionary change that should be supported. I was however disappointed with the implementation of the public hearing; civil society organisations and partners that came from across the country were not given enough time to express their views and perspectives which defeats the objective of a public hearing. Any Nigerian has a right to participate and express their views and perspectives on strengthening the laws guiding domestic work in Nigeria. Similarly, there were no domestic workers at the public hearing to speak on their experiences and offer recommendations for improvement.For future forums on this bill and other bills the Senate must ensure all stakeholders are mobilised to ensure a holistic law that meets the aspirations of all stakeholders is promulgated," added Odah.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Celebrating an Icon: Prof Ebele Eko Marks 80th Birthday in Grand Style in Calabar

Today, in the heart of Calabar, the literary community and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the 80th birthday of the esteemed Professor Ebele Eko. Although her actual birthday falls on the 2nd of March, today's event marked a grand celebration of her life and contributions to literature and education. Professor Eko, renowned for her extensive work in African literature and her commitment to academic excellence, has been an inspiration to countless students and colleagues. Her career spans decades of teaching, writing, and advocating for the importance of literature in understanding and shaping society. Beyond her professional achievements, Professor Eko is cherished for her kind-hearted nature, her role as a very caring mother, and her dedication as a prayer warrior and a God-fearing woman. Her compassion and faith have touched the lives of many, providing support and guidance both personally and professionally. The celebration was filled with ...

Delta Road Crash Claims 13 Benue Community Members

                              Mrs. Paulina Linus and her cousin Juliana Ebih perished in the accident. A crushingly dark cloud fell on Utonkon district in Benue State. It  spreads its gripping wings to communities in Oke-Ira, Lagos State. An unfathomable and never-before-seen-or-heard tragedy has befallen them. A couple of days ago, 13 community members (six children and seven adults) had been killed in a ghastly road accident on an expressway in Delta State on the way to their community, Utonkon in Ado Local Government of Benue State. Their families are currently inconsolable. It was a collision between a bus belonging to the Benue-headquartered CDO Transport Company and an oncoming trailer. Only four persons survived with many of the survivors still in critical conditions at the St Mary Hospital and General Hospital in Issele-Uku in Delta State.  The bus had been crushed beyond recognition. Surprising...

The Art of Cultivating Meaningful Relationships: Keys to Building Strong Connections

In today's fast-paced world, where technology often dominates our interactions, the value of genuine, meaningful relationships cannot be overstated. Nurturing these connections requires intention, effort, and a deep understanding of what it takes to build and sustain them. Here are some essential keys to fostering strong and fulfilling relationships in your life: Prioritize Communication: Effective communication lies at the heart of every successful relationship. Whether it's expressing your emotions honestly, actively listening to your partner, or navigating conflicts with empathy and respect, clear and open communication is essential for building trust and understanding. Practice Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Cultivating empathy in your relationships involves actively listening to your partner's perspective, validating their experiences, and showing compassion and understanding, even in moments of disagreeme...