10th December, 2021
The Lagos State Government and the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, have met to resolve labour issues and welfare of Civil Servants.
The government, through the Office of Establishments and Training held a Joint Negotiating Council meeting on Tuesday to resolve outstanding Labour issues and staff-related career development and welfare matters in the State Public service.
The meeting held at the State Treasury Office Resource Centre, Ikeja was presided over by the Chairman of Council and Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishments and Training, Mr. Biodun Onayele.
He disclosed that the meeting provided a platform to sustain the industrial harmony already being enjoyed in the State over the years.
He expressed appreciation to the State Government for approving the convening of the biannual Council Meeting, noting that it was not held earlier this year because of the problem of the pandemic while also commending the delegates for their understanding.
Onayele stated that the council would ensure that all issues were adequately resolved and referrals made where required, assuring that there would be timeliness for issues to be resolved.
Delegates from both sides of government and Trade Union engaged in robust deliberations on various memoranda submitted for consideration.
During the closing ceremony, Onayele commended the delegates for their detailed contributions and advice which was premised on improving the welfare of the workforce of the state and drive improved service delivery.
According to him “the meeting had been engaging and afforded us the opportunity to discuss issues of common interest in helping the present administration to achieve its dream of making the State Public Service as efficient as possible.”
The Co-Chairman of Council, Comrade Olusegun Balogun commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for agreeing to almost all the requests tabled before him and commended Onayele for handling the proceedings maturely.
Some of the delegates commended the government for organising the meeting as issues bordering on workers’ welfare and sustaining the service were discussed.
“The JNC is a statutory meeting between the government and the Unions in the state Public Service and it holds twice in a year. The meeting provides a forum for interaction between the government officials and all the Industrial Unions operating in the state Public Service to address and decide for implementation, issues pertaining to the welfare of the staff as well as to promote industrial harmony in the service.
“There are 17 unions in the state public service, which formed the National Joint Negotiating Council (JNC). They are Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Agriculture and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN); Non – Academic Staff Union of Education (NASU); Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU); Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT); Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (M&HWUN), among others.