The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote has tasked labour unions to focus on the general welfare of its members rather than concentrating on festive oriented benefits

The Permanent Secretary made this call today during the inauguration of the newly elected executive of the Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria, Ministry of Labour and Employment Unit.

According to her “I want to charge the new team to work hard and ensure that it’s not just about rice and vegetable oil welfare but that capacity development of staff are looked into as well as come up with idea that will help management to achieve what will help the Ministry in carrying out its mandate.”

Speaking further, Mrs. Odusote stressed the important of social dialogue and collective bargaining as the basics of agitation and negotiation in industrial relations “I want to plead with the newly inaugurated executive that we emphasise the use of social dialogue and tact in negotiation and agitations. When labour leaders act in collective interest and not for personal gain, putting into consideration national development then workers welfare will be paramount.” She stressed.

She revealed that her interaction with the union chapter in the Ministry of Labour and Employment has been quite impressive saying “maybe it’s because they have to be an example to other chapter unions as a custodian of labour laws, this is a reflection of the kind of staff that we have in the Ministry”

Inaugurating the newly elected Executive, the representative of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (National) Com. Isaac Ojemhenke stated that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is blessed with Management Staff that understand the right of workers, this explain why industrial peace and harmony pervaded the Ministry to the admiration of other Ministries. He added that the Association have higher hope that this mutual relationship will continue in the Ministry.

Com. Ojemhenke He urged the management to extend the same mutual working relationship it extended to the immediate past executive to the Uzo Agu led Executives.

In his remarks, the newly elected Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Unit, Com. Uzo Agu affirmed that his election is a call to service and not to arrogate himself on the members of staff he is supposed to lead,

He appreciated the Management of the Ministry for providing enabling working environment for members of staff and pledge to continue with the legacy of the immediate past executive.

“We appreciate the funding challenges of the Ministry but that notwithstanding the management has been able to consider our plight by ensuring that the little that is due to us is giving to us. We will build on the achievements of the past executive and continue to do our best to put a smile on your faces.” He pledged.