The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Bolaji Adebiyi today said that the efforts of the Federal Government in addressing the economic challenges facing the nation will require sustainable industrial peace and harmony to succeed.
He said this while declaring open a one-day seminar organized by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Ministry of Labour and Employment with the theme “Effective Labour-Management Relations a Panacea for Industrial Peace and Harmony in the world of work.”
In his words, “The recession that we experienced recently was as a result of a number of economic challenges. The present administration in addressing these challenges will require adequate industrial harmony to thrive. It, therefore, behoves us as individuals and organized labour union to imbibe social dialogue and collective bargaining principles as a strategy for resolving industrial disputes and in the demand for workers right.”
Speaking further, Adebiyi eulogized President Muhammadu Buhari’s favourable dispositio
He said, “The current administration has strived to reposition the nation’s industrial sector with minimal work disruption, and improved workers welfare as evident in the inauguration of the new National Minimum Wage Committee and payment of outstanding promotion arrears to the Federal Civil Servants amongst others.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Unit of the Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria, Comrade Tommy Etim expressed the Association’s resolve to engage management in social dialogue on issues that affect workers welfare.
He appreciated the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen, Chris Ngige and his Minister of State counterpart, Prof. Stephen Ocheni for their efforts at repositioning the Ministry for effective service delivery.
“My comrades, we have heard that our state offices are now wearing a new look. In as much as this is commendable, we task management to ensure that our state offices are not only looking good structurally but well equipped and funded to meet the administrative and industrial relations demand of the states.” Comrade Tommy said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the Association of Senior Civil Servant, Comrade Bashiru Lawal described the workshop as timely and apt, coming at a time when Unions are been confronted with a lot of unfair industrial relations practices in the world of works. Comrade Lawal who was represented by the Head of Abuja office of the Association, Comrade Issac Ojemhenke called on workers to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the workshop for self-development.