The Federal Government is proposing a mandatory eight weeks course at the Michael Imoudu National Institute of Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, Kwara State, for all newly elected labour leaders in the country.

Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige stated this yesterday during the budget defense of his ministry and its parastatals before the House of Representatives Committee on Labour.

According to Ngige, the training is necessary to acquaint labour leaders with the laws guiding trade unionism and trade dispute resolution in the country, along with the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

He explained that the mandatory training would also enable the unions know the limits of their powers, and where the powers of their employers stop.

A statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Olajide Oshundun, noted that some union leaders were disobeying the ministry and the country's labour laws because they lacked the basic training on the laws and their application.

He said: “You know a lot of people who answer labour and union leaders are not trained in the labour laws of the country, including professors. They disrespect labour laws, disrespect the labour ministry, labour committees and everybody.

“So, we want to upgrade MINILS and make it mandatory that once you are elected as Comrade President or Secretary-General or whatever, you must go there for a course that will last not less than eight weeks, to get certificated…”