Chief Emeka Wogu, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, said at the opening that the workshop was aimed at improving participants’ knowledge on reporting obligations.
``You are no doubt aware that Nigeria has over the years been in arrears of her reporting obligations on some of the ILO Conventions ratified.
`` Undoubtedly, the reasons for the non rendition of the reports by Nigeria are significantly attributed to the lacuna caused by the non- possession of relevant reporting skills and techniques by professional officers of the Ministry and other implementing agencies.’’
Wogu said it was against that backdrop that Nigeria approached the ILO for technical and financial assistance to train nodal officers in the relevant MDAs for the purpose.
He pointed out that the workshop was apt as it would close the observed gap in performance of the professional officers of the ministry and other relevant implementing agencies.
``This will no doubt reposition Nigeria in the International Labour Organisation positively, especially in the areas of timely rendering and submission of annual report as may be requested by the Governing Body.’’
The minister urged the participants to make good use of the opportunities to build and improve on their professional capacities.
Mr Tunji Olaopa, the permanent secretary, said the workshop would help in clearing the areas of reports pending.
``Therefore, this workshop affords us the rare opportunity of creating the platform where ratified conventions will be used as channels or instruments of improving productivity in the world of work.’’
Ms Sina Chuma-Mkandawire, the Director of the ILO office in Abuja, said that Nigeria had ratified 39 ILO Conventions, including the eight Core Conventions.
She said that as part of the workshop, the ILO would only consider mechanism for regular monitoring based on the examination of reports submitted by the member states.
``Indeed in order to make this control, it is still necessary that member states submit periodic reports due.
``However, Nigeria for reason of capacity on the pars of officials responsible for this task encountered great difficulties in fulfilling this obligation.
``To solve this problem, the Federal Government of Nigeria requested the assistance of the ILO to enable Nigeria fulfill its obligations,’’ she said.
Chuma-Mkandawire called on the participants to do their best during the five-day workshop to understand the complex ILO reporting system and avoid being counted among countries guilty of serious breach of obligations.
Reports say that ratified Conventions create reporting obligations on the Member States that have so ratified the convention.
They are expected to domesticate provisions of the conventions in their laws and practice.
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