The Imperative of Engendering an Egalitarian Legal Framework for the Protection of Female Employees’ Rights in Nigeria

Abstract

This article through doctrinal approach, examines both international and domestic legal frameworks (International Labour Organization Equal Remuneration Convention 1951, Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention 1958, Maternity Protection Convention 1952, Beijing Declaration, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, 1988, Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Right of Women in Africa, Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, 1999 Constitution, Employee Compensation Act, etc that protect female employees rights in Nigeria. It discusses “right” and general employees’ rights in Nigeria howbeit tangentially. It discusses Nigeria’s female employees’ rights and evaluates the laws on general employees’ rights and found that, the vulnerability and peculiarities of female employees, precipitated by their multiple roles in not well recognized and protected under Nigerian labour law when compared with international instrument. It makes vital recommendations on way forward.