Ilorin — Labour leaders have called on the Federal Government to urgently diversify the economy and adopt people-oriented reforms as a way of addressing rising job losses and worsening workers’ welfare across the country.
The call was made in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the 33rd Annual Industrial Relations Seminar of the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE).
The seminar had as its theme: “Building Human Capacity for Enhancing Productivity and Personnel Welfare in the Midst of Economic Hardship.”
Daily Job Losses, Rising Casualisation
President of NUCFRLANMPE, Mr. Bolarinwa Sunday, noted that improving productivity under the present economic climate required deliberate policy action.
He stressed that sustainable growth could only be achieved through economic diversification, investments in power and roads, forex stability, and policies that promote local production.
Mr. Sunday lamented that redundancy exercises were now causing daily job losses, while precarious work arrangements such as outsourcing and contract staffing were fast replacing decent jobs.
He described such practices as “obnoxious measures” and urged stakeholders to promote value-adding strategies that create more employment opportunities.
Allegations of Anti-Labour Practices
The union president also raised alarm over alleged “slave camp” conditions in some factories along the Lagos–Sagamu–Ibadan industrial corridor, reportedly owned by Chinese nationals.
According to him, workers in such facilities live under strict military and police control, with dissenting staff subjected to harsh punishments.
He accused some Nigerian politicians of fronting for the foreign companies, thereby enabling anti-labour practices.
He assured, however, that the union, in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Ministry of Labour, would continue to press for justice.
Calls for Human Capacity Development
Also speaking at the event, the President of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Mr. Peter Godonu, emphasized the importance of investing in workers’ skills and welfare.
He said workers were currently confronted with job insecurity, rising cost of living, and eroding purchasing power, insisting that productivity must go hand in hand with dignity of labour.
He further called on workers’ unions to remain united and resist attempts by some employers to divide their ranks.
Government’s Position
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi—represented by an official of the ministry, Mr. Orodiran—commended the union for sustaining its annual education seminar.
He noted that investing in human capacity was key to overcoming economic challenges and improving productivity.
Similarly, the Director General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Mr. Issa Aremu, urged the union to push for a subsidy scheme for workers’ education.
According to him, such a fund, managed through the NLC, would help workers build capacity while also strengthening national development.