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Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Nigeria (RATIFICATION: 2002)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Legislation. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Labour Standard Bill has not yet been adopted. The Committee asks the Government to ensure that the new legislation will be in accordance with the Convention, prohibiting direct and indirect discrimination in employment and occupation, including in respect of recruitment, on all the grounds listed in Article 1(1)(a) of the Convention and any other appropriate grounds, as envisaged under Article 1(1)(b). The Committee also stresses the importance of enacting provisions to prevent and prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in adopting the new labour legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment and occupation, including sexual harassment at work.

Promotion of gender equality and non-discrimination in employment and occupation. The Committee requests the Government to provide:

• (i) detailed information on the measures taken to promote equal access of men and women to employment and occupation, including vocational training, including in the context of the National Gender Policy of 2006;
• (ii) information on the measures taken to promote the access of rural women to training, employment and occupation;
• (iii) statistical information on the participation of women and men in the labour market, according to industry, occupation and employment status.

The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to address discriminatory practices against women based on maternity and marital status, including information on the number and nature of such cases identified and addressed by the competent authorities. In addition, the Committee draws attention to the important role of employers’ and workers’ organizations in promoting respect for gender equality and non-discrimination and requests the Government to indicate any activities carried out in collaboration with these organizations to address discrimination in the workplace.

The Committee notes that the report contains no information in reply to the Committee’s comments concerning discrimination in employment and occupation that results from practices that ascribe certain occupations and social status on the basis of a person’s descent. The Committee asks the Government to take steps to combat such practices, including through awareness raising. The Committee also requests the Government to take steps to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation of ethnic groups that face disadvantage and discrimination, including nomadic groups.

Article 3(d). Public employment. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress made with regard to the legislative amendment proposed by the Federal Character Commissioner concerning the achievement of gender equality in all government appointments, to which the Committee referred in earlier comments. The Committee also requests the Government to provide detailed and updated statistical information on the participation of women and men employed in the different ministries and other government agencies, including information on the number of men and women holding management positions within these bodies.