The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill aimed at protecting millions of domestic workers, apprentices, and interns from sexual abuse, exploitation, and other unfair labour practices across the country.
The legislation, titled the Informal Sector Employment Regulation Bill , 2025, seeks to formalize and regulate employment in the informal sector , guaranteeing fair treatment, decent work conditions, and protection of workers’ rights under the law.
Presenting the report of the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Senator Plang said the bill is inspired by the growing reports of sexual assault, forced labour, torture, and non-payment of wages suffered by domestic workers nationwide.
He explained that the bill aligns with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189), which calls on governments to safeguard the rights of domestic workers and regulate the activities of employment agencies.
Key objectives of the bill include Formalizing employment of domestic workers, apprentices, and interns, Protecting them from sexual harassment, physical abuse, and exploitation, Ensuring fair pay, decent working conditions, and rest periods.
The bill also seeks to Establis a biometric database for workers and employers under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Preventing child labour in domestic service and Guarante access to food, social security, and healthcare.
During a public hearing on July 22, 2024, the proposed legislation received overwhelming support from major stakeholders including the Federal Ministries of Labour and Women Affairs, the Nigeria Police Force, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and several civil society organisations.
Stakeholders described the bill as timely and crucial in addressing widespread abuses such as sexual exploitation, child labour, trafficking, kidnapping, and even murder often linked to unregulated domestic employment.
Following clause-by-clause consideration, the bill was read for the third time and passed through a unanimous voice vote.
