The lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Hon. Omosede Igbinedion said her Bill to improve welfare for vulnerable Nigerians and domestic workers is grounded in 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 in the House of Representatives and reflects her focus on protecting women children and vulnerable members of society while promoting human dignity social justice and decent working conditions.
In a statement issued in Benin City Igbinedion said the Bill aims to stop the 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 seeks to prohibit child domestic labour and to provide five years’ imprisonment for any individual found guilty of employing recruiting supplying or harbouring a child for domestic work.
She said the Bill proposes mandatory written employment contracts for domestic workers fair and regular wage payments 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 the 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.’