G.O. SODIPO AND CO.

NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY, 2017.

In this quarter’s newsletter we take a look at current trends in Nigerian Labour Law, this focus is inspired by the theme of the recently held memorial lecture of G.O Sodipo and Co. Consequently we will be analyzing the adverse prevalence of Human Trafficking and the enlarged jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court.
The reality is that despite the abolition of slave trade all over the world, human beings, whether by deception or coercion are still being bought and sold. The situation is grossly offensive as it is no respecter of persons. All manner of people, children, disabled, poor and even the rich are trafficked for a reward, monetary or otherwise.
The Key note speaker at the above mentioned memorial lecture, Professor Chioma Kanu Agomo of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos gave amongst other things, a robust presentation on the state of the National and International Laws governing human trafficking. After in-depth research on this menace to societies globally, she opined that the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, (UNTOC) and its Protocol which was adopted by the General Assembly in 2000 and came into force in 2003, is the main international instrument in the war against crime. Nigeria became a signatory to the convention in 2000 and subsequently enacted an act against human trafficking. The most recent law in Nigeria governing human trafficking is the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.The employment of children as domestic workers and the infliction of grievous harm on them is an offence under the afore mentioned Act, which is in line with the International Labour Organizations fight against Child Labour which is a most disheartening part of Human Trafficking.