The Nigeria Civil Service Union has called on concerned authorities to declare state of emergency in industrial relations management, in view of various challenges confronting the sector and meddlesome roles by some government agencies in Trade Union movements in recent time in Nigeria.
The call was part of issues raised in a communique issued by the National President of the Union, Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday and the General Secretary, Comrade Bomoi Mohammed Ibraheem at the end of the one hundred and eleven (111) years celebration of the formation of the Nigeria Civil Service Union held at its National Headquarters in Abuja.
They said declaring state of emergency on industrial relations management would enable stakeholders in Trade Union movements to check the ugly trend in industrial relations practices in Nigeria which was not as worst as it is during Colonial rule in the country.
According to the communique, “The meeting expressed reservations over the abuse of roles by some Officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the judiciary as manifested in their activities in recent times, gradually rendering Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment inactive in carrying out its statutory functions”.
The meeting also called on the office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation to desist from meddling with the rights of Unions to organize its members within the framework of their respective constitutional provisions, especially as far as the tenure of its elected members are concerned.
The historical relevance of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, various issues affecting the Union, industrial relations practices, state of the nation, future of industrial relations practices in Nigeria, welfare of members among others were also discussed and it was agreed that the present scenario in Nigeria called for serious sober reflection.
The meeting also evaluated critical issues affecting the country, ranging from Fuel Subsidy removal and its attendant effects on the entire populace which has further increased the number of multidimensionally poor Nigerians to 187 million ( out of over 200 million Nigeria population) with the last count by independent research conducted recently.
The Civil Sevice Union posited that the economic hardship has dehumanized the entire populace. “There is high transportation cost, high cost of living, Nigerians are presently traumatized psychologically, the meeting hereby called on Federal Government to address the issue squarely by fixing the four Nigeria refineries, rejig the economy with sound economic policies and review the living wage for workers”.
The meeting passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and the entire Organized Labour in Nigeria in consonance with their positions on the present State of the nation .
“The Federal Government should see wisdom in some solutions proffered by the Organized Labour in Nigeria towards moving the nation forward, some of which include bringing back to life the four monumental refineries, reversal of Tuition fees increment, wage award to workers to address the present economic hardship, upward review of living wage, rolling out sustainable impactful palliatives to mitigate the present economic hardship, if not quickly addressed by the Federal Government, the present situation may snowball into spontaneous social unrest”.
The meeting expressed the commitment of the National leadership of the Union to begin empowerment programme that will guarantee self reliance of members to engage in trade work that can bring income to their families aside from monthly salaries while interests and welfare of members and staff of the Union will be prioritized in line with its vision and mission. “The union will focus on gender equity and equality while women empowerment will be used as a template to kickstart the programme”.
The meeting appreciated the founding fathers of the Union, Henry Liberty, David Ojeli and other subsequent National Presidents, General Secretaries, elected Leaders, employees and members of the Union who have sacrificed and worked for the development and survival of the Union over the years.
Earlier, the Special Guest of Honour at the event, who is a member of the House of Representatives representing Apa Agatu Federal constituency, Comrade (Pastor) Ojema Ojotu admonished Leaders at all levels to always work towards adding value to the system, in order to make remarkable positive impacts on the people and the country.
Comrade Ojema Ojotu who is equally a Trade Unionist and former State Chairman of the Union, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council and Commissioner for Youths in Benue State before he was elected as a member, House of Representatives commended the National leadership of the Union and the entire stakeholders for their commitment to the growth of the Union.