The seventh edition of the Registrar of Trade Unions’ National Workshop has opened in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Declaring the workshop open on Wednesday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammadu Dingyadi, said that the sustenance of the workshop over the years was predicated on the need to constantly promote the contributions of the labour sector through professional service delivery to meet international standards in line with the ministry’s mandate to review, implement and enforce all government policies.
He commended the participants and urged them to come up with a workable and implementable document that would further improve the work already done in the sector.
The Minister also appreciated what he called “the averred commitment and determination” of the Director, Registrar of Trade Unions (RTU), and his Team for sustaining the momentum by ensuring that this workshop is held annually as intended.
“This is highly commendable and I hope it will be sustained in the coming years considering the dire need for actors in the labour space to constantly have a forum to engage in deliberations aimed at mitigating the challenges associated with labour administration in our country,” he said.
Dingyadi described the annual workshop as a forum for education and empowerment adding that they are the essential ingredients for the development of a well-informed workforce which in turn results in the overall reduction in the number of industrial disputes in the workplaces.
“Thus as agents of change and productivity enhancement, it is clear that the cardinal goals of decent work and harmonious industrial relations cannot be achieved without your contributions as a Labour movement in this great country.”
The theme of last year’s workshop “Repositioning the Labour Administration System for Effective Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria,” made some recommendations which included the need for capacity building, amendment of the nation’s labour laws, strengthening of labour Institutions and consistency in policy implementations as well as strong social protection nets.
Others are the provision of adequate work tools and a strong Occupational Safety and Health framework for workers amongst others.
These recommendations the Minister said, necessitated the theme of this year’s workshop which is ‘Best Practices for Social Partners Engagement in a Challenging Economy’, describing it as “very captivating and sets the stage for thought-provoking discussions and exchange of ideas by Stakeholders in the industry.”
He believes that the essence of the workshop is to amongst others proffer ways and means through which social partners can have productive engagement on contemporary issues affecting labour administration in “today’s challenging economy.”
Welcoming participants, the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary Mr. John Nyamali, said the event brought together Government officials, Policymakers, Labour Leaders, and Captains of industries from all over the Federation and provided an excellent opportunity for them to discuss issues relating to Labour Administration in the country.
Mr. Tommy Etim-Okon is the President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
Speaking on behalf of the President General of the TUC, Mr Festus Osifo, Mr Etim-Okon said that the theme of this year’s workshop was apt.
He said that the Minister who is newly appointed, came to the Ministry at “a very critical time” when there are so many pending labour issues bothering on workers welfare and collective bargaining.
“Since 2005, Nigeria has been battling with the review of Labour laws.
“As we speak, 19 years going, we have not come out of the woods, because there is no basis to talk about industrial relations of very good conducive labour administration without the rule of engagement.
“They told us it in the Ministry of Justice going through legal drafting. Honourable Minister, this is one task you have to accomplish,” he said.
He called on the Minister and the Ministry to give priority to the training as well as improved remuneration of the Labour Officers both at the state and Federal levels.
The TUC Deputy President also highlighted some of the challenges facing the Ministry and its workforce including paucity of funds, poor remuneration, and lack of training as we as the fulfillment of its financial obligations to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) among others.
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