The Neil Aggett Labour Studies Unit (NALSU) was established through a partnership between Rhodes University and the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government. The idea of such a partnership arose during the process of developing the Eastern Cape Provincial Jobs Strategy, where a commitment to the development of a dedicated labour studies capability in an Eastern Cape university was made.

NALSU also collaborates with a range of national and international research institutions on particular research and knowledge sharing initiatives.