The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha has called on Organized labour in Nigeria to partner with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in realizing the Renewed Hope agenda of industrial development, mass decent job creation, and poverty eradication.
She gave this advice in Ilorin at the 36th Joint Annual National Education Conference organized by the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), in conjunction with the Nigerian Textile Garment and Tailoring Employers’ Association (NTGTEA).
The conference was held at the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Represented by the Director General of MINILS, Comrade Issa Aremu, the Minister disclosed that arrangement is almost concluded for the launching of the Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) that promises measures aimed at revitalizing the nation’s economy and creating jobs to stem unemployment.
According to her, the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), is a comprehensive suite of interventions at job creation by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
She stated that the programme is aimed at facilitating the 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.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Institute, Comrade Issa Aremu has hailed the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers for its commitment to members’ education and welfare over the years.
He observed that in its 46 years as an industrial union, NUTGTWN has signed 48 agreements through collective bargaining without resorting to workplace shutdown and lockout by employers.
Aremu observed that the peaceful industrial climate in the textile and garment sectors was due to consistent workers’ education adding that MINILS would further collaborate with the Union for capacity building.
Comrade Aremu said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was desirous of industrialization through the revival of collapsed textile mills.
He called on both employers’ Association and labour unions in the textile sector to continue the engagement with the government on sustainable industrial policy adding that “sustainable reform is only possible through value addition not wholesale imports of goods that can be produced locally.”
The MINILS Director General recommended what he called the “Dangote-Government – Deal formula” for all manufacturing sectors of the economy.
He said the government has “business in business” through the creation of a favorable environment and intentional policies that will discourage dumping and imports and encourage local production.
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