Labour, Health, Trade & Env Standards




LABOUR, HEALTH, TRADE & ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

Factories Act
This Nigerian law makes general and special provisions for the health, safety and welfare of persons employed in places statutorily defined as �€œfactories�€ and for which a certificate of registration is required by law. It makes general provisions as to the standards of cleanliness, crowding, ventilation, lighting, drainage of floors, and sanitary conveniences: e.g. all factories must have potable water and washing facilities.

In respect of safety, there are general provisions as to the securing, fixing, usage, maintenance and storage of prime movers, transmission machinery, other machinery, unfenced machinery, dangerous liquids, automated machines, hoists and lifts, chains, ropes and lifting tackle, cranes and other lifting machines, steam boilers, steam receivers containers, and air receivers. There are in addition to these, standards set for the training and supervision of inexperienced workers, safe access to any work place, prevention of fire and safety arrangements in case of fire and first aid boxes.

Also, the law provides that adequate arrangements should be made for the removal of dust or fumes from factories, provision of goggles to protect the eyes in certain processes and the prevention of eating and drinking in places where poisonous or injurious substances give rise to dust or fumes.
It is mandatory that all accidents and industrial diseases be notified to the nearest inspector of factories and be investigated; it is prohibited for the occupier of a factory to make any deductions from the wages of any employee in respect of anything to be done or provided in pursuance of the Factories Act.

Workmen's Compensation Act
The laws provide for the payment of compensation to workmen for injuries suffered in the course of their employment.

National Minimum Wage
Due to inflationary factors, further wage increases have been recommended, and minimum wages are about =N=5,000 per month. An employer, defined as someone employing 50 or more persons, is required to pay the minimum wage, defined as the total emolument payable to a worker.

All employers and trade unions in both the public and private sectors of the economy are permitted to make adjustments to total remuneration packages through the process of collective bargaining. The remuneration agreed requires the approval of the Federal Minister of Employment, Labor and Productivity. Approval will be given where the increases are moderate, non-inflationary and affordable. The agreed and approved remuneration will apply from the first day of the calendar month that follows such agreement. Back-dating of increments is not permitted.

Regulatory Bodies
Standards Organization of Nigeria
The Nigerian Standards Organization Act, 1971, established as an integral part of the Federal Ministry of Industries, the Standards Organization of Nigeria, to carry out among other things, the following functions:-
- to designate, establish and approve standards in respect of meteorology, materials, commodities, structures and processes for the certification of products in commerce and industry throughout Nigeria;
- To provide necessary measures for quality control of raw materials and products in conformity with the standards specifications;
- To compile Nigerian standards specifications;
- To ensure compliance with designated standards;
- To establish a quality assurance system including certification of factories, products and laboratories;
- To develop methods for testing of materials, supplies and equipment items purchased for use by public and private establishments;
- To undertake preparation and distribution of standards samples;
- To establish and maintain laboratories necessary for the performance of its functions.
On the payment of a nominal fee it is possible to obtain from the offices of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria the prescribed standards for a number of products.

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