The Shop and Distributive Trade Senior Staff Association (SHOPDIS) and UNI Global have reiterated the importance of collective bargaining as a driving force for improved productivity.

Speaking at a two-day workshop supported by UNI Global in Lagos with the theme ‘Strengthening Collective Bargaining Power Through The Inclusion of Women and Young Workers’, the National President of SHOPDIS, Azeez Ajibola, said there must be industrial harmony at the forefront of labour activities to ensure the seamless working relationship between the employers and employees.

He said good industrial relations help in the effective utilisation of resources, saying “One important role of labour union is the effective promotion of collective bargaining agreement. In every industrial and economic setting, trade unions constitute an element of fundamental importance to collective bargaining, which is vital for industrial peace and harmony. Every labour union in Nigeria sees this as a major role they are expected to carry out.”

Coordinator of Commerce, Finance, Gaming and Youth, UNI Global, Lebogang Keabetswe, said collective bargaining should be a catalyst for industrial harmony.
She said UNI Global chose to support the training for the union leaders, including women, to be properly trained and educated to know the basic labour laws and to plan their actions within the confines of the rules.

Also speaking, the General Secretary of SHOPDIS, represented by Olanrewaju Ganiyu, said the training is expected to allow the unions to rub their minds and find solutions to myriads of problems in the various sectors of the union represented.

He noted that harmonious working conditions could be achieved through hard work, adding that employers should see collective bargaining as a win-win for the two parties.

“There is a misconception that collective bargaining only benefits the employees. It benefits both parties because when workers are happy, it will boost their productivity, which is a gain for the employers,” he said.