By Ahmed ‘Lateef
A new chapter began yesterday in the annals of the Joint Kwara State Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC) with the re-election of Comrade Saliu Oluwole Suleiman admirably referred to as Otunba and Comrade Joseph Tunde as Chairman and Secretary of the JNC respectively in the state.
It was at the state conference of the council that had in attendance leaders of labour movement of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) and as well as veterans in the labour circle.
The new executive, which has another opportunity to pilot the council for another term of two years, was immediately inaugurated in the presence of the representative of the National Chairman of JNC, Comrade Waheed Sikiru.
The conference held at the Labour House, state secretariat of NLC, near the state High Court Complex, Lajorin Road, GRA, Ilorin, provided a platform for the organized labour to appraise the issues surrounding the total implementation of minimum wage in the state.
Suleiman, in his acceptance speech at the event, promised to consolidate on the modest achievements recorded when he previously served and called for support of members of the labour movement to enable his leadership succeed.
Recalling the challenges that characterized the negotiation for the implementation of N70,000 minimum wage in the state, the JNC chairman noted that there were disagreements between the government team and the council but expressed gratitude that it eventually saw light of the day.
The state JNC chairman called on the state government to review its new tax policy on workers, saying that it has rendered the new minimum wage fruitless.
He also tasked the state government to implement consequential adjustment for pensioners as soon as possible.
The state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka, said the current state of the economy has imposed suffering on workers following hike in prices of goods and services.
Olayinka, however, implored the federal government to set up a good economic team that would initiate policies that would make monthly salaries of workers meaningful.
Also speaking, the state Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Olayinka Onikijipa, applauded the state JNC leadership for its quality skills exhibited at the last negotiation on minimum wage with the state government.
He said his congress would continue to work with JNC in all agitations to better the workers welfare in the state.
The TUC chief appealed to delegates at the conference to support the new executive and work together for the progress of the state.
“I want to appreciate Almighty Allah and thank the leadership of Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Kwara State for the invitation and to inform the movement that Trade Union Congress, Kwara State Council will continue to work with JNC, Kwara State in all agitations to better the workers’ welfare in the state.
“The performance and presentations of Joint Negotiating Council leadership at the last negotiation discussion made me to be proud of the council and the representatives at that negotiation table. The leadership performed wonderfully and they really impressed me”, Onikijipa said.
Also speaking, the state Controller of Works in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr Bola Michael Orodiran, who spoke through Oluwasegun Adedayo, advised delegates at the conference to play according to the rules of the game.
He also admonished them to support whoever emerges as leadership of the council at the end of the conference, reminding the delegates of the enormity of leadership responsibility.
The Senior Special Assistant to the state Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Abdulmumin Kareem Onagun, expressed delight that the state government has enjoyed much cooperation from the organized labour and restated the support of the state government to the labour movement.
Delivering his paper at the conference, a former Chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade Emmanuel Akin Ayeoribe, said trade unions require visionary, prudent, ethically and morally upright leadership to get better deal for members.
“Leadership that promotes unity, group solidarity at all times, leadership that pays reasonable attention to succession planning through the development of worthy successors. Success without successor is a failure, proper mentoring system can help in bringing the best out of followers”, he said.
The state acting Head of Service, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, who spoke through the Director, Establishment, Pension, Management Staff and Training, Mr Abayomi James Adebisi, said the government was committed to the wellbeing of the state workforce.
He encouraged leaders of the JNC to renew their commitment to working together for the greater good and continue to advocate a society where individuals have opportunity to succeed regardless of their background or occupation.
He expressed optimism that the decisions made at the conference would shape the future of the council in the state, adding that “I am confident that your actions will ensure that JNC remains a powerful voice for objective pursuit of workers’ welfare”.
The acting HoS assured the labour of government’s support at all times and commitment toward workers’ wellbeing, adding that his office is always open to the organized labour, which he described as one of the bedrocks of any democratic society.
Ibrahim said, “The JNC has, over the years, served as an enabling platform for government and labour interrelations, dialogue and resolutions, which has contributed positively to the healthier industrial relation in the country today, especially at the public sector.
“Permit to also emphasize that the state Delegates’ Conference plays a pivotal role in the continued progress of the organized labour. It is a reflection of the power of collective action, solidarity and the unwavering commitment to improving the wellbeing of members. Additionally, the Delegates’ Conference provides the channel through which leadership is passed on from one successive regime to the other”.
While inaugurating the state JNC leadership, its National Chairman, Comrade Benjamin Anthony, urged members of new executive to see their emergence as a call to service with collective responsibilities tainted with collective bargaining tenets, devoid of mistrust and suspicion in their relationship with government side.
Comrade Waheed Sikiru, General Secretary of AUPCTRE, who delivered Anthony’s address at the event, explained that JNPSNC has been instrumental in promoting industrial harmony and negotiating better working conditions for public service workers.
He urged JNC members to bear in minds the importance of unity, collective bargaining and collaboration between labour unions and the government.
“The National leadership has resolved to reinforce the potency of Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) Trade Union side in terms of its negotiating capacity and optimal service delivery for workers in the public service nationwide with emphasis on the importance of collective bargaining and negotiation between labour unions and the government.
“As you know, the Trade Union side has been a key figure in negotiating workers’ rights and welfare packages with the government. The leadership has focused on improving the welfare of Nigerian workers, particularly in the public service sector. We have also worked closely with government agencies such as the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the federation also replicated at the state, with state Head of Service to address issues like consequential salary adjustments, promotion arrears, leave allowances among others”, Anthony said.
