ABUJA – (Labour & Employment Ministry Report) – The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ibukun Odusote has tasked labour unions to focus on the general welfare of its members, rather than concentrating on festive – oriented benefits.
She made this call lately at the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected executive members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“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 the capacity development of staff are looked into as well as coming up with ideas that will help the management to achieve what will help the Ministry in carrying out its mandate,” she iterated.
Ibukun Odusote stressed the importance of social dialogue and collective bargaining as the basis of agitation and negotiation in industrial relations. She pleaded with the newly inaugurated executive that they should emphasise the use of social dialogue and tact in negotiations and agitations. Adding, when labour leaders act in collective interest and not for personal gains, and put into consideration national development, workers’ welfare will be paramount.
She later revealed that her interaction with the Union’s 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 the custodians of labour laws. She opined that this is a reflection of the kind of staff that exists in the Ministry.
While inaugurating the newly elected Executive, the representative of the national body of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Isaac Ojemhenke (Comfade) stated that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is blessed with the kind of management staff that understands the right of workers, indicating that this explains why industrial peace and harmony has pervaded the Ministry to the admiration of other Ministries. He added that the Association has a high hope that this mutual relationship will continue in the Ministry.
Isaac Ojemhenke urged the management to extend the same mutual working relationship accorded to the immediate past executive to the Uzo Agu – led Executives.
In his remarks at the occasion, the newly elected Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Uzo Agu (Comrade) affirmed that his election is a call to service and not to arrogate himself on the members of staff that he is supposed to lead. He expressed appreciation to the management of the Ministry for providing enabling working environments for members of staff and pledged 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 given 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.
