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A Bill for an Act to provide for the Prohibition of casualization in all forms of employment in the private and public sector in Nigeria and for related matters, 2021 (SB. 329) on Thursday passed second reading on the floor of the Nigerian Senate.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Bill, sponsored by Senator Ayo Akinyelure was read the second time and referred to the Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity and to report back within four weeks.
Senator Adelere Oriolowo, who seconded the Bill for presentation for second reading, said, “I want to suggest that we find a way of abolishing inequality in our workforce and I want to support this bill 100 per-cent.”
Senators present during the presentation of the bill put the bill to debate before it was referred to the Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity.
In his debate, Senator Smart Adeyemi said, “This is one of the reasons why we are here. We are here to make laws that will enhance the overall development of our nation.
“A percentage of people who have been captured into this category of workers are people who are brilliant but came from less privileged homes.
“I want to commend my colleague for bringing this Bill. It is worse in the banking industry Mr. President and we will make history if we do not allow this system to stand any longer. This is a system that is more pronounced in the banking industry and in the oil industry”.
So many other Senators debated in favour of the bill as captured below:
“This Bill should be amended. For the public sector, I agree but for the Private sector we should be very careful.” – Senator Tokunbo Abiru
“Casualization of employment has reduced the quality of services we get from our establishment. I support this Bill and I hope that my colleagues will do same because of the merit of this Bill.” – Senator Uche Ekwunife
“It is important to note that casualization lowers the self-esteem of anyone and the moment it lowers self-esteem, those people will never become full members of our society. In the Banking industry, our girls have been turned into what we cannot imagine. We need to have a legal framework that will ensure that casualization does not exist. All this boils down to one thing – government has not done its part well. Creation of jobs is most essential. If we have jobs, nobody will be doing this to our children. And the best way to go is to pass this Bill and let it go for public hearing.” – Senator Biodun Olujimi
“We need to make a distinction between private sector and public sector and the nature of businesses in which people are engaged.” – Senator Ajibola Basiru
“My main concern has to do with the public sector. I rise to support that this Bill be read the second time so during the Public Hearing some of us can have the opportunity to go in there and make our contributions.” – Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege
“I think we need to be careful with this Bill. There is no way you can operate in the aviation industry without casualization. So I think we should seriously look into this bill before we go ahead.” – Senator Sani Musa
“I am in support that the Bill passes for second reading. Some of the issues raised here are already being addressed in the Labour law but we have to be able to reach a melting point.” – Senator Opeyemi Bamidele
“I stand to support this Bill in its entirety. We need to protect our citizens and our youths. Every businesses want to cut cost. Those areas that we are talking about like in developed countries have strong laws that are used to protect the workers. There is need to look at our laws and review our laws to make sure that we protect our youths. Sometimes this issue of casualization is not due to necessity but used to cut cost. We must make a law that will stop casualization of workers in this country. I support this Bill and urge my colleagues to support this Bill to protect our workforce.” – Senator Barau Jibrin