The federal government has pledged support to the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) to strengthen industrial courts and arbitration panels for faster workplace dispute resolution.

The minister of labour and employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, made the pledge at the fourth International Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum (I-LAAF) on Friday in Abuja.

The forum has the theme: “Access to Labour Justice in a Rapidly Changing World of Work.”

Mr Dingyadi, represented by Falonipe Amos, director of Trade Union Services, highlighted the importance of accessible labour justice for workers and employers nationwide.

He said strengthening courts and arbitration panels would ensure fairness, protect workers’ rights and promote industrial harmony across the country.

“Accessible and efficient labour justice is critical for productivity, social stability, and confidence in the workplace,” Mr Dingyadi said.

He added that the government was committed to speedy dispute resolution and encouraged alternative dispute resolution to reduce delays and litigation costs.

Mr Dingyadi said modernising labour laws and strengthening adjudication institutions aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda to advance social justice and economic growth.

He urged employers, workers, and government agencies to collaborate to ensure labour justice remained timely, fair and inclusive.

The minister said a strong and accessible dispute resolution system was crucial to national development, workplace trust and long-term industrial peace.

The director-general of NECA, Adewale-Smart Oyerinde, said access to labour justice had largely focused on workers, often neglecting employers and government interests.

Mr Oyerinde said labour justice must serve all stakeholders and extend beyond worker-centric approaches to the broader industrial ecosystem.

He said consensus-building required mutual respect among employers, workers and the judiciary, supported by prompt adjudication at the National Industrial Court.

The NECA director-general noted that conflicts were inevitable but sustained dialogue and narrowing of disputes would strengthen industrial relations.

He added that the initiative would evolve into workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions to deepen understanding and build a more prosperous labour ecosystem.

Mr Oyerinde questioned why some labour disputes were taken to regular courts despite the existence of specialised industrial courts, urging stakeholders to embrace proper adjudication channels.

He said tripartism and education were crucial, noting growing awareness among the judiciary and lawmakers of global labour practices.

Diket Plang, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour and Employment, stressed the need for modern, coherent, and enforceable labour legislation reflecting current workplace realities.

Mr Plang said the legislature was engaging stakeholders to identify gaps and support reforms that would strengthen labour institutions and social protection systems.

Isa Aremu, director-general of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, said access to labour justice depended on knowledge, urging workers, employers, and union leaders to understand their rights and obligations.

Mr Aremu added that skills in collective bargaining, mediation and arbitration were essential, noting MINILS’ commitment to training, research and peaceful resolution of workplace conflicts.

(NAN)