The Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, MINILS, Ilorin is supporting the recent federal government’s plan to re-adjust the salaries and allowances of civil servants in line with the current economic realities.
The Director-General of the institute, Comrade Aremu made this known during a press conference to mark this year’s World Day for Decent Work (WDDW) held at the Institute.
It would be recalled that the International Labour Organization (ILO) has set aside October 7 to raise awareness on the need for decent work across the world.
Sustaining Jobs
The Director-General of the Institute, Comrade Issa Aremu, called on governments at all levels to rededicate themselves to defending, and sustaining jobs in the country.
He expressed worries on the reported incidence of attacks on workers, and the closure of the Dangote Cement Factory, in Obajana, Kogi State, saying that an organisation that employs thousands in direct and indirect jobs deserves to be protected from such an ugly experience.
He, therefore, admonished government to enhance the “ease of doing business” around the country, rather than intimidating businesses through extra-judicial measures.
Decent Work
The DG also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his Labour-friendly policies which according to him, had led to decency in work in Nigeria.
He said that inspite of the prevailing harsh socioeconomic condition across the globe, the federal government did not retrench workers.
He cited instances of the challenges posed by the recession occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic didn’t deter government from securing people’s job.
He however, expressed his admiration of the government’s move to extend the contributory pensions scheme to the informal sector and for ratifying ILO conventions no 87 and 190 which encourages freedom of association and protection of the right to organise and eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work.
Elaborating the theme for this year’s event which is ‘Wage Justice’, Aremu, emphasised that the idea of ‘justice’ is to ensure that workers were well paid, noting that “there should be justice for workers in terms of remuneration”.
“I also know that part of the need for decent job is that a worker’s income should be guaranteed after work, so which means decent work is also the work that is pensionable.”
While commending governors of various states that have implemented the new minimum wage and the consequential adjustments, he disclosed that the Institute will honour them and other labour-friendly employers when it marks its 40th anniversary next year.
Increase job opportunities
Comrade Aremu called on government and employers of labour to work towards increasing job opportunities for teaming youths through value addition and industrialisation.
Locally made bus
Aremu, who further disclosed his administration’s plan to purchase locally-made bus for the Institute, cautioned against over-dependence on imported goods, which includes importation of refined crude oil, insisting that the country will be far from progress if such trend continues.
The foremost, African Labour leader, also called on both the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and federal government, to come to a compromise on issue of contentions that has led to the ongoing strike.
Lateefah Ibrahim
