By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

The Federal Government on Wednesday said that the cardinal goals of decent work and harmonious industrial relations cannot be achieved without contributions from the Labour movements.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammadu Dingyadi, stated this in Abuja, at the 7th Registrar of Trade Unions national workshop on current challenges and prospects of trade union administration in Nigeria.

The Minister commended the important roles played by trade union movements and the stakeholders in the labour circle in the quest to build a strong and virile nation that would compete favourably with others in the comity of nations.

Alhaji Dingyadi, appreciated the commitment and determination of the Director, Registrar of Trade Unions and his team for sustaining the momentum by ensuring that the workshop was held annually as intended.

He expressed optimism that the workshop would 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 the country.

“Fellow Comrades, the sustenance of this annual programme is predicated on the avowed determination of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to constantly strengthen and promote the contributions of the labour sector through professional service delivery of the highest quality and global standards to meet international expectations in line with our mandate as Ministry of Labour to review, implement and enforce all government policies as they relate to issues in this great country,” he said.

The Minister noted that it was his first time meeting with the stakeholders as the Minister of Labour and Employment, adding , “I must therefore not fail to commend the very important roles being played by you – the stakeholders in the labour circle as partners in progress in our national quest to build a strong and virile nation that would compete favourably with others in the comity of nations.

“This is because your regular education and empowerment workshops 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 our 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 Labour movement in this great country.

“You will recall that last year’s edition of this Workshop was held with the theme” Repositioning the Labour Administration System for Effective Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria where participants came up with some recommendations at the end of the workshop such as the need for capacity building, amendment of our labour laws, strengthening of labour Institutions, consistency in policy implementations, Strong social protection nets, provision of adequate work tools and strong occupational safety and health framework for workers amongst others.

“It is against this backdrop that the theme of this year’s workshop which is” Best Practices for Social Partners Engagement in a Challenging Economy’ becomes very captivating and sets the stage for thought-provoking discussions and exchange of ideas by stakeholders in the industry because the essence of this workshop is to amongst others proffer ways and means through which social partners can have productive engagement on contemporary issues affecting labour administration in our today’s challenging economy.

“To this end, thematic labour areas such as the legality of strikes by unions; rights at work concerning the promotion of harmonious labour relations through collective bargaining; challenges and creative solutions to implementation of new minimum wage; future of work in challenging economy with perspective on workplace relations in Nigeria; and effective management of Trade Unions affairs focusing on challenges and opportunities will be discussed by carefully selected labour experts.”

The Minister said that the recommendations and resolutions of the workshop, will enable the ministry and the stakeholders to develop a blueprint for enhancing best practices for social partners’ engagement in a challenging economy and promoting industrial peace and harmony in our workplaces.

Earlier in his welcome address, the director overseeing office of the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. John Nyamali, said that the event brought together government officials, policymakers, labour leaders, and captains of industry from all over the country.

He further stated that the workshop provided an excellent opportunity for the stakeholders to discuss issues relating to labour administration in the country.

“To my Comrades, from the Labour Centres namely; Nigeria Labour Cong ress (NLC)/Trade Unions Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and those from their various Affiliates here present, I say welcome and I give thanks to God for the journey mercies to and within the FCT.

“My profound appreciation goes to the representatives of the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), representatives of Government Agencies here present and all our Resource persons whom I trust would do justice to the different papers given to them for presentation and also our consultants.”