The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to adopt proactive measures to enhance access to healthcare services, housing and better transportation for workers to improve their welfare.
The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, made the call at the 2019/2020 Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) meeting on Thursday in Yenagoa.
The meeting with a theme: “Managing the Challenges of Emerging Realities in Labour Management Negotiations in the Federal Public Service” was attended by representatives of labour unions in the country.
Wabba, represented by Mr John Ndiomu, the NLC Chairman in Bayelsa said there was also a need to increase attention on healthcare of workers.
He said that: “We commend the Federal Government on the new salary structure but we still want to see increased attention by government at all levels on workers’ welfare, particularly healthcare, housing and transportation.
“I, therefore, proposed that we do not need to wait for a new national minimum wage before we make major shifts and adjustments in the salaries of public servants.
“If we make incremental and steady progress in improving the salaries, welfare and conditions of service of public workers over time, we would reduce the difficulties in negotiating consequential adjustment with a new national minimum wage.’
The chairman, however, urged governors who are yet to implement the new national minimum wage to do so.
Mr Quadri Olaleye, the President, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said that: “the truth is that we lack the political will to implement policies.
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“Until we begin to see our country and Nigerians as our responsibility; nothing will work, our orientation must change”.
Also speaking, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Acting Head of Civil Service of the federation, noted that lack of effective communication between employers and employees were the cause of unrest and industrial disputes in the public service.
Yemi-Esan, represented by Dr Evelyn Ngige, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare in the office of the Head of Civil Service, advocated for the principle of collective bargaining.
She also called for mutual respect for sustainable industrial peace and harmony in service.
