Member representing Idah Federal Constituency and Chairman committee on Safety Standards and Regulations Rt. Hon. DavidIdrisZacharias, has expressed strong support for the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, 2025 (HB.2195), describing it as a landmark legislation that seeks to uphold the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of Nigerian workers across all sectors.
In his remarks during the debate on the Bill at the floor of the House of Representatives, Hon. Zacharias commended the sponsor, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and co-sponsors for what he termed a “timely legislative intervention to protect the Nigerian workforce from outdated and inadequate safety laws.”
He emphasized that the Bill represents a shift from reactive to preventive safety culture, ensuring that every workplace whether in factories, farms, oil rigs, or corporate offices adheres to modern safety standards that prioritize human life.
“For too long, our workers have laboured under obsolete laws that fail to reflect modern industrial realities,” Hon. Zacharias stated. “This Bill is about fairness, safety, and the right of every Nigerian to return home unharmed after a day’s work. It is justice for the worker and progress for the nation.”
Hon. Zacharias highlighted that the repeal of the colonial-era Factories Act and the establishment of a comprehensive legal framework for occupational safety will not only save lives but also boost productivity and investor confidence. He urged stakeholders government agencies, employers, and labour unions to embrace the new framework in the collective interest of national development.
“No nation achieves sustainable growth while neglecting the health and safety of its workforce. By enacting this law, we are placing value on the lives of those who build and sustain our economy,” he added.
The lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for workers’ rights, fair working conditions, and social justice, noting that the Occupational Safety and Health Bill aligns with global labour standards and the principles of decent work as championed by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
“We owe it to the Nigerian worker to make the workplace safe, dignified, and humane. Supporting this Bill is not just a legislative duty it is a moral responsibility,” Hon. Zacharias concluded.