NLC backs widowhood, bereavement leaves for workers

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind legislative proposals aimed at reforming Nigeria’s public service, including the introduction of widowhood and bereavement leave for Nigerian workers.

NLC President, Joe Ajaeo said this on Friday while presenting a position paper on behalf of the organised labour during a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Service Matters at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on six legislative proposals.

The labour leader said the proposed bills reflect a growing commitment to workers’ welfare and career progression.

SPONSOR AD

Ajaeoro while supporting the bill on widowhood leave proposed that the leave be a minimum of 30 working days, extendable to 60 days in exceptional cases, and applicable regardless of gender.

NLC President stressed that the measure was long overdue and aligned with global best practices in countries like South Africa and France, where bereavement leave is recognised.

“This bill, if passed, will acknowledge the emotional and psychological trauma workers face when they lose a spouse. Nigerian workers are already suffering from systemic insensitivity to their well-being,” he said.

In addition, the NLC recommended the inclusion of a bereavement leave bill that would grant all workers two weeks’ leave and a bereavement allowance in the event of the death of a close relative.

The NLC however,  rejected the current policy that mandates compulsory retirement for directors after eight years in office, describing it as “anti-worker, arbitrary, and counterproductive.”

Calling for an immediate repeal, the NLC said the policy had led to the untimely exit of many competent public servants, eroding institutional memory and discouraging merit.

“The policy is a relic of bureaucratic oppression. We advocate a shift to a merit-based system and the creation of extra-director positions to absorb senior officers and prevent stagnation,” the NLC boss declared.

He decried the persistent promotion stagnation in the federal civil service, warning that it was “eroding morale and productivity.”

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Service Matters, Hon. Engr. (Dr.) Sani Umar Bala, in his address reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and reform in Nigeria’s public service sector as the committee commenced a public hearing on key legislative proposals.

Bala emphasised the importance of the six legislative items under review, which he said were vital to strengthening governance and enhancing the welfare of public servants across the country.

Bala singled out the motion on age falsification in the civil service as particularly pressing, warning that the practice undermines merit-based promotions, distorts workforce planning, and compromises the integrity of public service appointments.

“The importance of addressing this issue cannot be overstated,” he said. “By ensuring that age falsification is thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, we promote fairness and restore merit as the guiding principle.”

The Committee urged Nigerians to take advantage of its whistleblower policy to report suspected cases of age falsification through its official email address: [email protected].