OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION

PRESS RELEASE

FG SUES FOR UNITY, SYNERGY AND COLLABORATION WITH LABOUR UNIONS

The Office of the Head of the Federation’s Civil Service has made a call for continued collaboration and partnership between the government and organized labor in Ministries, extra-ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in order to achieve the best possible results and efficiently carry out the current administration’s New Hope Agenda.

Dr. Comfort Adeosun, the Director Overseeing, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare (SWO), in the Office of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), made this statement on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at the 4th Permanent Secretary’s Quarterly Forum with Leaders of the Joint Union across MDAs.

The Forum, according to Dr. Adeosun, was created to increase synergy and foster a cordial working relationship between the government and unions in order to improve service delivery. She continued, “It is also to inform them of the various government initiatives on matters pertaining to the general welfare of public servants and to foster an environment that will facilitate the easy implementation of staff-friendly policies that will enhance the welfare and well-being of workers in the Service.”

The speaker revealed that the quarterly event has been delayed since 2019 because of unanticipated events outside of the Office’s control. However, she made a suggestion that the significance of reviving the meeting cannot be overstated, considering the important role it plays in resolving conflict regarding labor-related matters, which is anchored on a process of collective bargaining through ongoing communication between the two parties.

The Director Overseeing went on to say that the Organized Labor had been greatly restored in their faith in the government’s commitment to enhancing worker welfare and fostering industrial peace and harmony as a result of the previous meetings’ success.

She expressed her gratitude to the Head of the Federation’s Civil Service (HoSF) for her unwavering dedication to the welfare and prosperity of the Service.”To build on the current cordial working relationship between the Government and Labour in MDAS, this commitment is expressed in the approval to resuscitate the Forum with a directive to ensure its sustenance,” she said.

According to Dr. Adeosun, the OHCSF is dedicated to making sure the Forum continues in order to enhance cohesiveness and synergy. It is a catalyst for the Public Service’s advancement, using mechanisms for resolving conflicts to head off tense situations and prevent industrial unrest from worsening, which impedes the development of the country.

She gave the members her word that the government would keep working to raise worker welfare and provide them with more tools to carry out their designated duties. To ensure healthy communication, she said, “it is crucial that we are informed about government plans, policies, and programs.”

Earlier, Mr. Dominic Chibueze Nwachuckwu, Acting Director of Employee and Industrial Relations, said that without labor’s cooperation, government cannot serve as an essential part of nation-building. “The workforce is one element that assures a conducive environment for civil servants, and the government cannot deliver on its core mandates if that is not the case,” he continued.

Mr. Dangana Adamu Tende, Deputy Director of Employee Relations, went on to say that the program will promote cooperation between labor and the government.

Dr. Tommy Etim Okon, National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and Vice President of the Joint Council, said during his remarks that information is crucial and that gathering union leaders from MDAs creates a means of guaranteeing industrial peace and harmony. “Without industrial peace and harmony, there will be no progress. A policy cannot succeed without it, he claimed.

Additionally, Dr. Okon observed that the HoSF engages with union leaders in a highly strategic manner. He acknowledged her leadership style and dexterity while saying that the Forum is the best course of action, particularly considering that the topic of a new national minimum wage will come up frequently over the next few months due to the current state of the economy. Workers will be very vocal, especially regarding the payment of the N35,000 odd allowance.

Once more, he mentioned that the forums offer a chance to educate and enlighten union leaders about the policies of the government regarding its labor force. “This is a 21st-century approach to make sure employees are properly informed, which will also motivate them to be more productive.”

The meeting will significantly improve employee awareness of OHCSF policies aimed at improving work flow and gaining their support for the creative work processes outlined in FCSSIP-25, according to Comrade Ameh Sylvester, President of the Joint Union Negotiating Council and Chairman of the ASCSN, OHCSF Chapter. He pledged that the workers would be informed of the decisions made and the information gathered.

The following eight unions are represented at the forum:
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), which is in Council I
COUNCIL II: Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU),
Reportorial, secretarial, data processing, and allied workers in the Nigerian public service are collectively known as NUPSTRAW.
COUNCIL III;
Medical Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN),
National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM),
Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAAE),
Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Re-creational Services Employees (AUPCTRE),
Printing, Publishing, and Paper Products Workers’ Union of Nigeria (NUPPPPROW).

M. A. Ahmed,
Director, Communications.