Public Servants Urged to Improve Labour Relations for Nation’s Growth

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Public Servants in Nigeria have been urged to focus on improve labour relations with the state and federal governments by building a harmonious industrial relationship.
The call was made yesterday at the end of the 2024 meetings of the Separate and Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Speaking with journalists, Chairman of the Council, Dr. Comfort Adeosun, noted that trust improves the performance of any organisation, facilitates open communication and promotes constructive conflict resolution.
Adeosun who is also the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office (SWO), Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), harped on the need for good relationship between workers which she said promotes proficiency in workforce.

“We talked about the benefit of incorporating communication and collaboration so that we don’t have to go on strikes. By the time we come to the negotiation table which we have done in these three days, we are able to come with resolutions that are going to be submitted to the labour side and to the government side. In that case we continue to build trust.
“Also, we have talked about trust enhancing productivity, efficiency and high quality performance because you can attest to the fact that the labour workforce in Nigeria are still one of the best in the whole world.”
She further stated that trust can cement the relationship between government, civil and public servants in the state and nation at large.

“We are in a system, in an environment where the “Japa” syndrome is reigning but when there is trust and a good renumeration for the current workforce, it’s going to attract those in the diaspora back to the country to support its growth. Because no matter where you are in the world, you always have this feeling to go back home and contribute to the growth of your country and that has made a lot of people to come back to support the growth of the country.”
Adeosun revealed that the meeting with theme, ‘Building Trust for Sustained Peace, Labour Relations’ has considered 11 memoranda that sought improved well-being of civil servants, adding that the recommendations will be sent to the national establishment for implementation.
She thanked the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for supporting the programme, including participants for the time spent in the three-day meeting, saying “We’ve been discussing on what it takes to move the country forward and also improve the labour relations with the government which has been very robust.”