The Director General Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Issa Aremu has advised the Organised labour to support the Renewed Hope 8-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration with respect to wealth generation, fighting graft and poverty eradication.
Comrade Aremu said “the 8-agenda of President Tinubu dealing with food security; poverty eradication; growth, job creation; access to capital; inclusion; rule of law; and fighting corruption offers a framework for harmonious and “win-win” relationship between the government and organised labour.”
Aremu’s advice came as President Tinubu unveiled bold measures to curb official corruption as well as reduce the costs of governance through drastic travel cuts.
He was speaking at the occasion marking his birthday in Ilorin with the theme: “Celebrating Life With Renewed Hope” which was attended by family members, management and staff of MINILS, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry’s agencies friends and comrades from industrial textile workers’ union, affiliate unions of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The Director General observed that after 2023 election, it was time for governance adding that trade unions are better positioned within the renewed Hope agenda to urgently mainstream decent job and living wage for Nigerian workers.
He said that the basic principle of unionism is representation of workers both at workplace and power houses such as National Assembly.
He said MINILS would help to build the capacity of unions for the effective collective bargaining and grievance handlings.
Aremu said; “It is all about class interests and class struggle. Trade unions have the responsibility to make sure workers are not only “under- rated” but make case for workers’ welfare through visible constructive engagement with governments at all levels.”
Comrade Aremu also used the occasion to emphasize the importance of labour education for industrial harmony and national development.
He disclosed that the management and staff of MINILS were poised to surpass the Ministry of labour deliverable targets of the number of workers, employers and government officials to be impacted upon on conflict prevention in workplaces in 2024.
The Director General recalled that the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiru Onyejiosha in December commendably ordered the shutdown of a Metal Manufacturing Company, ‘Gbara’, near Sotubo, in Sagamu local government area of Ogun State, for exposing its workers to health hazards.
The Director General observed that the current challenges in the world of work call for “collaboration, cooperation rather than confrontation” between trade unions and government.
The high points of the celebration included the report of the landmarks of comrade Aremu in reviving the hitherto moribund Institution in massive offices and hostel renovations, staff welfare and training, regular payments of outsourced workers despite budget constraints and new office building completion. Others were solar energy supply, access road transformation, new curriculum/ calendar development, Institute Clinic, baby crèche for working mothers, youth skills training for employment, security of assets and clean and secured environment.
The Director General disclosed that the Minister of State for Labour and Employment is expected soon to commission the newly completed U-shaped administrative building that will accommodate many staff of the Institute.
The occasion witnessed the launch of MINILS cycling club to further reign in on the improved sports activities at the Institute with comrade Aremu joining scores of cyclists in 5 kilometer ride of the newly improved access road that impacts positively of the host community through free movement.
The MINILS had won the maiden edition of the football competition between reserch institutes by defeating ARMTI 2-1 on the concluded Research Institute Football competition. MINILS has long institutionalized monthly fitness exercise well before the office of Head of Service made it mandatory for all civil servants.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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