The Federal Government has said it will prosecute anyone engaging an apprentice below the age limit of 12.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment who said this in Abuja, at a roadshow sensitisation rally in Kugbo, Furniture market on Thursday, stated that such a person will be charged with child labour.
Represented by the Director, Skill Development and Certification, Mohammed Tolani, the minister said the government had begun the enforcement of 12 years minimum age for individuals to engage in apprenticeship scheme in Nigeria.
“This breaches the United Nation and International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention and standards.
“The policy has been clearly spelt out under Labour law cap 198 section 49-53 LFN”, she said.
According to her, the ministry had started enforcement of the law and sensitisation of the people to the knowledge of the crime in the six geo-political zones of the country.
She said the ministry had started issuing Trade Test Certificate of Competence to deserving beneficiaries in order to boost employment generation
The Minister added that to qualify for the training scheme, an apprentice must be accredited by the Department of Skills Development and Certification in the ministry.
