The federal government says it remains committed to improving the ease of doing business, strengthening investor confidence and implementing policies that encourage enterprise growth.

Labour and employment minister Muhammad Dingyadi said this on Tuesday, while delivering his goodwill message at the 69th annual general meeting of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association in Lagos.

Mr Dingyadi said that the success of the government’s ongoing economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda depended largely on a vibrant private sector.

The minister said the agenda was designed to restore macroeconomic stability. He said that the agenda was to stimulate private-sector investment, expand productive employment, strengthen institutions, and build a resilient economy capable of delivering shared prosperity.

Mr Dingyadi described NECA as one of the country’s most enduring institutions in industrial relations, commending the association for promoting social dialogue, ethical business practices, productivity, sound economic and labour policies over the past 69 years.

He said that the Ministry of Labour and Employment had repositioned labour administration as a strategic tool for economic development through strengthened dispute resolution mechanisms, enhanced conciliation, mediation and social dialogue.

According to him, the ministry has also intensified labour inspections to ensure compliance with labour laws, improve occupational safety and health standards, and promote decent working conditions.

He added that the government was strengthening public employment services, labour market information systems and career guidance programmes to improve employability, especially among young Nigerians.

The minister said that the ministry was also advancing labour law reforms to address the changing world of work driven by digital transformation, platform employment and emerging workplace safety challenges.

He urged employers to continue promoting constructive social dialogue, strengthening collective bargaining, investing in workforce development and ensuring workplace diversity and inclusion.

Mr Dingyadi also called on employers to uphold workers’ rights, eliminate discrimination, prevent child and forced labour, and maintain high standards of occupational safety and health.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration among the government, employers, and workers to sustain industrial peace, enterprise competitiveness, and decent work.

(NAN)