Lagos state proposes committee to oversee wage management in public, private sector

Lagos state government has proposed the formation of a state-level committee to oversee wage and rate management that will benefit employers and employees in the private and public sector workforce.

This proposal was brought forth during the 6th public-private dialogue session organised by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), in collaboration with key government ministries.

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Key stakeholders such as employers of labour, job seekers and youth entrepreneurs also shared their proposals and insights to enhance the Lagos state labour market information system (LMIS).

The aim of the dialogue is to foster collaboration between public and private sector entities, enabling informed discussions on labour market trends, challenges, and opportunities.

This will ultimately position Lagos State as a model for effective labour market intelligence and economic growth.

The event was a reflection of the state’s role in improving employment data accuracy, fostering greater inclusivity, and aligning workforce policies with market demands.

The LMIS, launched in July 2024 by Governor Sanwo-Olu, is a comprehensive labour database designed to provide real-time insights into the state’s employment landscape.

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It was developed by the LSETF in partnership with GIZ, the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget to serve as a vital tool for policymakers, employers, job seekers, and other stakeholders, facilitating data-driven decisions for workforce development.

Other key stakeholder insights

Asides insights from Lagos state government,other stakeholders such as employers of labour in Lagos advocated for aligning curricula with real-world job requirements and improving job-matching mechanisms.

In addition to what employers shared, they raised concerns over incentives for job postings and sought better recognition for businesses contributing to employment and taxation.

Policymakers and training institutions emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between public and private entities to bridge labour market gaps.

The informal sector and youth entrepreneurs highlighted the significant role of self-employment among young people and proposed greater inclusion of informal sector employers in LMIS.

They called for targeted job advertisements for skilled, self-taught individuals and collaboration with youth organisations to access verified employment data.

Job seekers also requested improvements to the LMIS platform’s navigation and user experience, along with a system to reward active users. Concerns were also raised about graduates leaving Lagos after completing their studies, reducing the platform’s local impact.

Recommendations and next steps

Following extensive deliberations, the session outlined several strategic actions to enhance LMIS functionality and stakeholder engagement:

Enhancing collaboration:

Strengthen partnerships between government, employers, and training providers.

Improving data quality and accessibility

Ensure real-time integration with state and national databases.

Boosting LMIS usability: Redesign the interface for ease of navigation and introduce a recognition system for active users.

Supporting informal and remote employment: Broaden access for employers and job seekers via USSD and SMS tools.

Aligning training and skills development: Work with education institutions to integrate market-driven training modules.

Recognising employers contributions:Develop outreach programmes to acknowledge employers investing in workforce development.

Leveraging youth and community networks: Partner with youth organisations to obtain verified employment data.

Mobilising resources for market research: Conduct periodic labour market surveys to refine policy and economic planning.

Sector-specific task forces: Establish committees focused on specialised labour market concerns.