MINILS Urges Stakeholders to Prioritise Labour Education for Industrial Harmony

The Director General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Issa Aremu, has urged stakeholders in the labour sector to prioritise labour education for better industrial harmony and productivity in Nigeria as the country celebrates its 64th Independence Day.

In his Independence Day message issued in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Comrade Aremu, said Nigeria has commendably entrenched robust industrial relations system in line with the core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

He said the dramatic growth of labour market institutions since 1960 such as Micheal IMOUDU Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), National Productivity Centre, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), and trade unions, is a major dividend of independence.

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Aremu observed that British colonialism not only denied freedom of association and assembly for workers and workers employers but repressed labour market institutions that would allow for vibrant collective bargaining and negotiations.

The Director General commended the government, employers and trade unionists which despite the civil war and military meddlesomeness in government, have maintained workplace democracy that have among others, led to the signing of 6 national minimum wages laws since independence.

According to him,  the inevitable reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu pose challenges for industrial relations adding that there is the need for regular labour education to maximize benefits and minimize the pains of reforms through social and peaceful dialogue.

The Director General commended the independence broadcast of President Tinubu with respect to the proposed launch of the Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), an initiative of the Minister of labour “that promises creation of 2.5 million jobs, directly and indirectly, on an annual incremental basis whilst simultaneously ensuring the welfare and safety of workers across the country.”

“On this auspicious occasion, on behalf of the management and staff of the Micheal ImouduNational Institute for Labour Studies, the only tripartite national labour institute in sub-Saharan West Africa, we acknowledge the immense contributions of Nigerian workers to national development since independence and also express our ability, willingness and readiness to partner with all stakeholders in the Nigerian to promote decent work agenda in the country,” the statement added.