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International Labour Organisation (ILO) in partnership with Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) has charged both the employers of labour and workers in Nigeria and beyond on bringing back economic growth and building a new global economy that puts people first.
Charging the duo, at the center of global economy, The Country Director of the ILO, Vanessa Phala and Director General of MINILS, Comrade Issa Aremu mni, during an event held at the premises of MINILS, in Ilorin, Kwara State to commemorate 2021 World Decent Work Day.
Vanessa, who is the officer in charge of Labour organisations for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone and also the Liason Officer for ECOWAS, said “ILO in collaboration with Nigerian Ministry of Labour and Employment now have advisory committee that will be sitting and dialogue on issues of labour matters, that are of common interest to the tripartite partners of the ILO in Nigeria”
Saying further that, collaboration with MINILS in particular, will bring some light to the fundamental principles of rights and the understanding of workers rights, especially, during the global pandemic where the nation has seen some challenges that are facing the world of work such as retrenchment.
In his remarks, DG of MINILS, Comrade Issa Aremu, commended the NLC under its Presidents, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and Trade Union Congress (TUC ) for standing up for the defence of worker’s rights and keeping faith with WDDW.
“I also want to use this opportunity to commend President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal government for upholding the rights of workers with respect to improved salaries, freedom of association and rights of unions to free collective bargaining. The signing into law the new minimum wage of N30,000 in 2019, the extension of contributory pension to informal sector, bail outs for states to meet their salary obligations, retention of labour market issues on exclusive list of 1999 constitution despite pressures from some state governments, the proposed Teachers Retirement Bill granting retirement age of teachers and education officers from 60 to 65 years and 35 to 40 years of service are some of the labour friendly policies of the President. MINILS commends President Buhari and the Federal Executive Council, FEC, for approving a 14-day paternity leave to make men bond with their newborn baby and share the burden of domestic work with working mothers”
The DG also salutes the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) for suspending its nationwide strike across Nigeria after 64 days following the intervention of the President and Vice President “We call on the Ministers of health to speedily resume negotiation with the doctors to avoid another round of avoidable and preventable strike”
Added that, “MINILS is set to convoke a national social dialogue on conflict resolutions at work to prevent incessant threats of lock outs, work stoppages and strikes. Also the Institute in partnership with the ILO will help to build capacity for trade unions and government human resource personnel”
Meanwhile, Comrade Aremu said “I am announcing for the first time we are paying our workers 13th month from this year. A well motivated force is the one that can be productive. I have also directed in my capacity as the DG of the institute that all our our outsourced workers must earn minimum wage of N30,000. This is our practical demonstration that charity must start at home”
He, however said “ with this maiden observance of WDDW. It will now be annual event as part of our corporate social responsibility to our stakeholders that include organized labour, employers and governments. I have also directed that in 2022 calendar all programmes in October would focus on all aspects of Decent work” he disclosed
Comrade Aremu, however expressed special appreciation to the ILO new country Director, Vanessa Phala for the support for this year’s activities.
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