The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliates have ramped up efforts to secure full bargaining rights for domestic workers, insisting that they must be recognised as formal employees under Nigerian labour laws.
The union is working towards the official registration of a domestic workers’ trade union, which would grant them access to legal protections, fair wages, and improved working conditions.
This push aligns with the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, a proposed law sponsored by Hon. Akin Alabi, which recently passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. The bill seeks to formalise employment terms for domestic workers—one of Nigeria’s most vulnerable labour groups—ensuring decent wages, job security, and legal recognition.
Labour unions demand stronger protections
Speaking to The PUNCH, a senior NLC official, who requested anonymity, criticised the existing labour framework, arguing that domestic workers remain highly vulnerable to exploitation.
“The National Assembly must take decisive action beyond just debating these labour administration laws. Domestic workers are workers, and they deserve full union rights,” the official said.
“We have already started working with them to ensure they are formally registered,” he added, emphasising that without proper legal recognition, many domestic workers face unfair treatment, job insecurity, and exploitation.
The NLC is also advocating for collective bargaining rights, arguing that they are a fundamental labour principle that must be extended to domestic workers.
FIWON: Bill revisions have strengthened worker protections
The Federation of Informal Workers Organisation of Nigeria (FIWON) has been at the forefront of the fight for domestic workers’ rights, with General Secretary Gbenga Komolafe calling the bill’s progression a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s labour movement.
However, he recalled that the initial draft of the bill was flawed, favouring employers over workers.
“When the bill first came, we were excited, but after reviewing it, we realised it was deeply flawed,” Komolafe said.
“The original draft focused on protecting employers—claiming domestic workers were stealing and harming their bosses—but said little about the rights and welfare of the workers themselves,” he noted.
FIWON engaged lawmakers in sustained dialogue and advocacy, leading to major revisions in the bill. The latest version now aligns more closely with International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 189, which sets global minimum standards for domestic workers.
Komolafe expressed optimism that once the bill is enacted, it will provide the legal basis to organise domestic workers into a union and hold employers accountable for fair treatment.
Minimum wage debate: Should domestic workers be included?
In a related development, the Senate and the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) are advocating for the inclusion of domestic workers in the proposed N70,000 national minimum wage scheme.
Senator Osita Izunaso argued that, “If N70,000 is set as the lowest wage for public sector workers, the same standard should apply to domestic workers.”
Komolafe agreed in principle but warned of economic realities.
“It’s a positive step, but we must ask—can private employers afford N70,000 per month for domestic workers?” he said.
He noted that many middle-class Nigerian households—including those where both spouses work—struggle financially and may find it difficult to meet the proposed wage.
“Beyond pay, we need to address working conditions, hours, holidays, and job security,” Komolafe stressed.
While labour groups welcome the progress, they caution that broader structural changes are needed to improve the rights and welfare of domestic workers in Nigeria.
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