The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Emeka Wogu, last
Thursday in Abuja called for a complete overhaul of the National Industrial
Relations System.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Samuel
Olowookere, the Assistant Director, Press, of the ministry and made available
to newsmen.

The statement said that Wogu stated this at an in-house seminar organised by the Trade Unions Services and Industrial Relations Department of the ministry.

The seminar has the theme: “From Adversarial Trade
Union-Management Relationship to Developmental Orientation.’’

Our correspondent reports that industrial relations system is an interaction between employers, employees and the government, institutions and associations.

It emphasised the importance of government’s role in
industrial relations and expressed support for the independence and freedom of
workers.

“This seminar is therefore compelling at this point in time
for its relevance in the overhauling of the National Industrial Relations
Systems.

“It is my conviction that in a globalised world in which the
human element should be of particular importance, we in government must strive
for an effective, fair and humane administration of labour issues.”

The seminar is the first in the series of in-house seminars
of the ministry designed to discuss aspects of the national industrial
relations system of the country.