MINILS boss calls for labour education to enhance industrial harmony

As Nigerians celebrate the 64th Independence Day Celebration, stakeholders in the labour market have been urged to further deepen labour education as a requirement for industrial harmony in workplaces to enhance productivity in Nigeria.

In his Independence Day message issued in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Director General of the Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Issa 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 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.

Aremu observed that British colonialism denied freedom of association and assembly for workers and employers and 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 has among others led to the signing of 6 national minimum wage laws since independence.

Read Also: NLC Lauds Nigeria’s Resilience on 64th Independence Anniversary

According to him, the inevitable reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu pose challenges for industrial relations adding that there is a 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 concerning the proposed launch of the Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), an initiative of the Minister of labour “that promises the creation of 2.5 million jobs directly and indirectly, on an annual incremental basis while 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 Imoudu National 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 Nigeria to promote decent work agenda in the country,” the statement added.