Strengthening social dialogue in the utilities sector in Nigeria.
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Date
2010
Authors
Fajana, S.
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Abstract
Water and electricity are necessities of everyday life. The lack of access to clean,
fresh drinking water increases malnutrition and disease, reduces economic growth, and
promotes social instability and conflict, especially in the world’s poorer regions. Nigeria is
a prominent example in sub-Saharan Africa where seriously inadequate water, sanitation
and electricity delivery have increasingly impoverished its people and economy. The
government has attempted to meet the targets set for it by the Millennium Development
Goals; at current rates of progress Nigeria is likely to meet its target on access to water
supply but not on sanitation.
The Sectoral Activities Department of the ILO commissioned this report as part of its
Action Programme on Strengthening Social Dialogue in the Utilities Sector, to examine the
current state of the utilities sectors in Nigeria with special focus on water, sanitation and
electricity; the challenges to be addressed; and the state of social dialogue in relation to
reform measures. The report was validated in a workshop held in Abuja on
15–16 September 2009, with broad representation from the Government and the social
partners.
Although social dialogue in Nigeria’s water and electricity sectors has historically
been weak, this report demonstrates with illustrative case studies that reform measures
show some promise in the effort to strengthen it. This report also examines the effects of
these reforms on employment and working conditions, and assesses the quality of dialogue
among the relevant Nigerian industrial relations stakeholders. The report suggests steps
that the Nigerian Government may take to address problems facing the utilities in Nigeria.
The report aims to encourage dialogue among stakeholders on the issues raised. The
ILO’s Action Programme aims to build on these findings and encourage the creation of
permanent mechanisms of social dialogue in the utilities sector in Nigeria. The Programme
also sponsors research and activities in Malawi and Peru.
ILO working papers, such as this one, are a vehicle for disseminating information on
topics related to the world of work and to social and labour policies and practices
Description
Staff publication
Keywords
Strengthening Social Dialogue , Strengthening Social Dialogue , Employment , Working conditions
Citation
Fajana, S. (2008), Strengthening social dialogue in the utilities sector in Nigeria., International Labour Organization 2010