Why I Presented Bill For Better Welfare For Domestic Worker – Igbinedion

The lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, has said that her Bill for better welfare for vulnerable Nigerians and domestic workers was based on the recognition that they deserve fundamental respect, dignity and protection against exploitation, like other categories of workers.

Igbinedion said the Bill has passed its First Reading at the House of Representatives and reflected her focus on the protection of women, children and vulnerable members of society, while seeking to promote human dignity, social justice and decent working conditions.

In a statement she issued in Benin City, Igbinedion said the Bill aimed to stop widespread exploitation, abuse and mistreatment of domestic workers, especially those engaged in private households without adequate legal protection or clearly defined conditions of employment.

Igbinedion explained that the proposed legislation sought prohibition of child domestic labour and proposed five years’ imprisonment for any individual found guilty of employing, recruiting, supplying or harbouring a child for domestic work.

She said the Bill proposed mandatory written employment contracts for domestic workers, fair and regular payment of wages, reasonable working hours, rest periods, annual leave, safe accommodation and access to medical attention in emergencies.

According to her, “It prohibits physical abuse, sexual harassment, psychological intimidation, forced labour, trafficking and the unlawful withholding of workers’ identification documents.

“The proposed law introduces registration of domestic employers and the licensing and regulation of domestic recruitment agencies, alongside mechanisms for monitoring compliance, investigating complaints and penalising offenders.

“The Bill also addresses the responsibilities of recruitment agencies and employers, ensuring that accountability extends beyond the immediate household to intermediaries involved in recruiting and placing domestic workers.

“If eventually passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President, the legislation could mark an important milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s legal protections for domestic workers and combating child exploitation.

“The legislative initiative reinforces a central principle of public service: no child should be deprived of an education to serve in another person’s home, and no domestic worker should be subjected to abuse, exploitation or indignity simply because of the nature of their employment.”