The Nigerian Senate has urged employers of labour to play down age requirements as pre-condition for employment in the country.
The resolution was sequel to consideration and adoption of a motion at plenary on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
The motion titled “Age Requirement Pre-condition for Employment in Nigeria, Urgent Need for Intervention” was sponsored by Abba Moro from Benue state.
He stated that age limit as precondition for employment violates Chapter 4, section 42(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantees every citizen the right to freedom from discrimination.
Moro said the provision of the International Labour Organisation(ILO) had defined employment discrimination in economic terms, as a violation of human rights that entails a waste of human talents with detrimental effects on productivity, economic growth.
“It is ironical that a graduate in this country can serve in the National Youth Service Corps programme at age 30 but cannot be gainfully employed ,thereafter on the fact that he/ she is now above 30 years, a situation that is a flagrant breach of his fundamental rights.
“The circumstances described in the foregoing presents the predicament of the Nigerian youth who has the requisite qualification, knowledge, skills and is ready to work but disqualified or excluded on the sole and unjustifiable ground that he/she is above the age limit by reason of his/ her birth,” he said.
According to the Senator, the situation had led many to forging their age so as to be within the age limit of employability in to the Nigerian Civil Service, and other employers of labour in the country.
Senate, meanwhile, urged the Federal Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity, other relevant agencies to restrict and discourage public and private employers from depriving millions of job seekers employment opportunities merely for not meeting age requirement.
The upper legislative chamber also urged the ministry to immediately draw up policies that relate to equality of opportunity and treatment in access to employment at all levels.
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