The federal government has
increased maternity leave from three to four months.
Chris Ngige, minister for labour
and employment, disclosed this at the ongoing international labour congress
(ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
He said employers of labour, both
private and public sectors, have been barred from sacking women from work
either due to their marital or maternity status.
“Employers of labour in Nigeria
are, by regulation, requested to provide workplace creches for nursing mothers
for ease at workplace,” he said.
“In the public service,
government recently increased the period for maternity leave from 12 to 16
weeks, to allow enough recuperation for both baby and mother, especially in the
area of breastfeeding.
“In addition, all disciplinary
proceedings against any female staff, which might have been taken during the
period of her maternity leave shall be put in abeyance till the expiration of
the leave.
“Employers of labour are barred
from removal of women from work due to their marital or maternity status.”
He said illegal labour migration,
contract staffing and labour casualisation, which affect most women, are being
reformed through policies and regulations at national, bilateral and
multilateral levels.
“The ratification, domestication
and implementation of the maternity protection convention No. 186 are conscious efforts to ensure that more
women enjoy maternity protection in the country,” he said.
The minister added that a lot
needs to be “done in terms of putting in place appropriate legislation,
policies and practices to deal with the gender gaps that inhibit greater
participation of women in the labour force”.
Ngige said the most effective
method of eliminating gender inequality in the workplace lies in vigorous
opposition to employers’ discriminatory conducts, policies and harassment.
“Women who fall victim to these
abuses are encouraged to oppose such through legal actions and reporting to
labour inspectors,” he said.
“The infusion into labour
inspection guides laws and code of practice, with severe sanctions and serious
punitive measures are prescribed as future deterrents.”
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