Governmentt charges unions on industrial dispute resolution principles

The Head of Service of the Federation (HOS), Winifred Oyo-Ita has urged labour leaders to adopt proactive measures to solve industrial disputes rather than reactionary approach that often prolong the process of amicable settlement of industrial disagreements.

She insisted that early identification of causes of industrial disagreements at early stages would enable all parties to the issues to find lasting solutions.

Mrs. Oyo-Ita stated this recently when the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) led by its President, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, paid her a courtesy visit.

The HOS stressed that the present administration is commited towards re-positioning the federal civil service through improved training and capacity building in order to ensure effective service delivery to Nigerians.

Oyo-Ita also reiterated the need for civil servants as the think tank of government to develop and put forward brilliant ideas that will turn the fortunes of the Nation around. She added that Civil Servants should always put forward an avenue to dialogue rather than resorting to self-help in the face of prevailing challenges.

The Head of Service further stated that the present administration is committed to the future and welfare of workers, and that is why government has recently inaugurated the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Programme which is an avenue to enable civil servants own their homes at affordable prices while the Group Life Assurance and the Commercial Orientation Programme are all efforts geared towards rebranding the Federal Civil Service and improving the welfare of workers.

Speaking earlier, the President of the Association, Kaigama appealed to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to increase the number of available vacancies in the Federal Civil Service, as well as pay all outstanding arrears and entitlements as demanded by Civil Servants.

He further stressed the need for government to carry out proper due diligence on its approach to solve issues affecting the welfare and performances of civil servants. He also proposed an avenue for further interactions with the present administration as a means of carrying them along in the policies of government