The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed deep concern over the country’s poor global standing on workers’ rights, revealing that Nigeria ranks among the ten worst nations for labor rights violations. NLC President Joe Ajaero, speaking at the 68th Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association in Lagos, described this ranking as a national embarrassment and urged employers to play a pivotal role in reversing this trend.

Ajaero highlighted that the 2025 ITUC Global Rights Index places Nigeria among the worst violators of workers’ rights globally, calling it a stain on the nation’s conscience. He urged the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) to lead by example by upholding collective bargaining and respecting labor laws.

He emphasized the need for deeper collaboration between employers and organized labor to implement resolutions from the recent 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva. Ajaero also condemned ongoing efforts by some state governors to remove labor matters from the Exclusive Legislative List, warning that such moves could destabilize industrial relations.

In closing, he reminded employers of the integral role workers play in sustaining businesses, stressing the importance of fairness and justice in workplace relations. Ajaero expressed hope that discussions at the AGM would lead to more productive, fair, and decent workplaces in Nigeria.