15th July 2024, NewsOrient,
Opinion, Column, News, Governance And Development
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

It was reported in the news a few days ago that the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti has decided to create a new Ministry of Labour and Productivity to ostensibly address, in a holistic manner and on continuous basis all matters affecting workers` welfare and their productivity.

The thoughtful decision is coming against the background of a threat by the organized labour in the State to embark on an indefinite strike with effect from July 15, 2024.

The Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had served a notice of strike to the Government over some unresolved issues that centred on the old N30,000 minimum wage, N35,000 palliative award, arrears of leave and promotions, salaries owed to workers in government parastatals and agencies and pensions and gratuities, amongst other sundry matters.

The labour unions also specifically wanted the Government to revisit the cancellation of command promotions and the on-going verification in the civil service.

To avert the strike and consequent shutting down of the State civil service, Governor Otti, last Friday went into negotiation with the labour leaders in the State.

The negotiation continued throughout the weekend, with a positive breakthrough achieved as a result of the olive branch being extended by the Governor to the workers.

The parley further provided a veritable platform for Governor Otti to avail the labour leaders the true state of affairs with regard to all the issues in contention.

For instance, states were supposed to receive budget support from the Federal Government for them to be able to implement the old minimum wage and palliative award. The Governor disclosed, to the bewilderment of the labour leaders, that the State Government had not received any dime from the Federal Government to implement the minimum wage and the palliative award.

He, however, promised to satisfactorily address the issue.

Part of the pragmatic efforts to address all the concerns of the labour force in Abia State was the well-reasoned proposal of the Governor to establish the Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

According to the Governor, the Ministry, when established, would be headed and run by a person from the labour movement.

This is a cheering news which came as a huge surprise to the labour leaders and all the workers in the State.

When the Ministry comes on board, it would definitely go a long way in addressing workers` welfare and their productivity. It would also help in forging a better understanding in Labour-Government relations, which would consequently engender a conducive industrial relations climate in the State.

It is also important to note that the labour leaders agreed that the so-called command promotions that were made by the immediate past administration in the State was a calculated attempt to set the work force of the State against the new Labour Party-controlled government of Dr. Alex Otti.

The fraudulent promotions and politically-motivated and unmerited appointments by the former government were exposed by the diligent verifications conducted by the Otti administration.

In an MoU that issued from Governor Ottis parley with the labour leaders, it was agreed that promotions and appointments must be based on the principle of merit and that workers welfare would be prioritized.

The opposition in the State had put the Otti administration under pressure through sponsored media propaganda protesting the verification exercise and cancellation of the illegal recruitments made by the last administration.

But so far, the verification exercise has revealed countless ghost workers through whom the scarce resources were being siphoned by the last administration in the State.

Governor Otti deserves commendation for remaining steadfast and not succumbing to the blackmail and vile propaganda of the ill-fated administration.

The Abia Government, having resolved to set up an exclusive Ministry to cater to the welfare of workers in the State, the least expected of the generality of workers in the State is to reciprocate the good gesture by scaling up their productivity and ensuring that the industrial relations climate remains congenial.

Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com

~ NewsOrient