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The Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has said that respect for human rights is central to national development and should not be treated as an afterthought.
“Work is more than a source of income. It is the means through which people support their families, shape their identities and contribute to society. Every worker, regardless of background, must be treated with dignity and fairness,” he said.
He was speaking at the launch of a human rights advocacy campaign initiated by Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, aimed at promoting fairness, dignity, and ethical practices within the hospitality industry and its supply chains.
The campaign on the theme: 'Spotting and addressing human rights risks in hospitality and supply chains,' seeks to address unseen vulnerabilities such as risk of forced labour, child labour, unfair wages, unsafe working conditions, discrimination and environmental exploitation in the industry.
Dr Pelpuo emphasised that fair wages, safe working conditions, freedom from forced labour, and protection against discrimination were “universal entitlements that safeguard the humanity of every worker.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforce labour laws, combat child labour, and ensure that multinational enterprises operating in the country respect the rights of workers.
“Respect for human rights is not in conflict with business success. It is, in fact, a key driver of sustainable growth and national prosperity,” he added.
The Labour and Employment Minister further said the hospitality industry carried a deeper responsibility because it employed a diverse workforce and interacted with countless suppliers.
He urged industry leaders to embrace due diligence, ethical sourcing, and transparent practices to eliminate exploitation.
Delivering the keynote speech, the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Commission, Edmund Amarkwei Foley, said the hospitality industry must be guided by universal human rights principles to ensure that workplaces guarantee safety, fairness, and non-discrimination.
He mentioned some common risks in the sector to include unsafe working conditions, sexual harassment, discrimination against women, persons with disabilities, and migrant workers, as well as poor food safety standards.
Mr Foley, who is also a lawyer, urged hotel management to adopt zero-tolerance policies on discrimination and harassment, provide staff training and protective equipment, promote diversity and inclusion, and implement sustainable, eco-friendly practices.
The General Manager of Mövenpick, Isaac Okpoti Adjei, said the hotel would continue to be a pacesetter in ensuring that human rights were respected across its operations.
Mr Adjei added that the hotel had adopted a zero-tolerance policy for exploitation, with staff trained to identify and report child labour, sexual abuse and cyber predators.
He further pledged the hotel’s support for youth empowerment, education, equality and diversity.
“We sing from the heart, we provide service from the heart, and we commit to treat every employee and guest with dignity,” he said.
The general manager also said the campaign would extend to 5,400 hotels worldwide, making Mövenpick the only hotel brand in sub-Saharan Africa actively engaging communities and the media in such advocacy.
