NLC, ILO call for workers’ inclusion in climate policies

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have renewed calls for workers’ inclusion in climate governance. The two organisations, responsible for promoting social justice and labour rights, made the call on Wednesday in Keffi, Nasarawa State, ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30). The UN climate convention, scheduled for November 10 to 21 in Belém, Brazil, will focus on the efforts needed to limit global temperature and the presentation of new national action plans. Speaking at the opening of a three-day retreat on preparation for the global climate conference, the NLC acting general secretary, Benson Upah, said, “Climate change remains a workplace reality, and workers bear its impact.”
Mr Upah, represented by Eche Asuzu, national coordinator for NLC on climate change, emphasised the need for workers to be included in national and global climate policies. He urged Global South countries to take charge of their climate destiny through bold green policies and worker-centred climate action. Mr Upah commended the ILO, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), and partners for supporting NLC’s Climate Change, Green Jobs, and Just Transition Programme. Similarly, Inviolata Chinyangarara, ILO senior specialist, described trade unions as key actors in achieving a just transition and ensuring decent work in a green economy. She said ILO remains committed to empowering workers’ organisations through dialogue, skills development, and advocacy to ensure no one is left behind. Ms Chinyangarara commended NLC for developing strong climate positions, hosting COP side events, and raising workers’ awareness on green policies and sustainable transition.
She highlighted the German Cooperation Project supporting social partners’ capacity for gender-responsive, job-rich green growth in Nigeria and other countries. Omoteniola Majekodunmi, NCCC director-general, said the council coordinates climate action across government, the private sector, and civil society. Ms Majekodunmi, represented by Jummai Vandu, a climate change specialist at NCCC, said the council also coordinates climate action across government, the private sector, and civil society. She said that under the present leadership, NCCC ensures workers’ voices are included in climate action and just transition programmes nationwide. Ms Majekodunmi commended ILO, FES, PSI, and Solidarity Centre for supporting NLC’s climate efforts, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 8 on decent work. The three-day Pre-COP 30 meeting, organised by NLC, ILO, and other partners, is expected to harmonise workers’ positions before COP 30.
(NAN)