sets up special taskforce to enforce transport guidelines
Ovie smith, Yenagoa
Bayelsa state glovernment has commended the two major centres of organized labour in the state, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for demonstrating what it described as uncommon maturity and collaboration in pursuing the welfare of workers.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the commendation at a meeting with the state’s National Minimum Wage Committee, and representatives of the NLC, the TUC as well as the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), in Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday.
He described the approach of leaders of the mainstream labour movement in the state as “civilized and of a positive disposition towards labour-government relations”, assuring them of the current administration’s commitment towards improving the welfare of workers within the limits of available resources.
His words: “On behalf of the Governor of the state, I once again commend the mainstream labour for your understanding. It is because of your cooperation that this government committed the scarce resources at its disposal to complete the Labour House.
“I always insist that cooperation doesn’t mean stupidity; rather, cooperation makes life easier for everybody; and through cooperation everyone is winning.
People who are into unionism should know the difference between rascality and true unionism.
“We see mainstream labour leaders in the state as the most civilized, with a positive disposition towards government. That is why we have invited you here today to begin the review of the implementation of the new national minimum wage.”
The Deputy Governor, who urged the Niger Delta University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions to emulate the state NLC and TUC, condemned the reckless use of strike action as a means to resolving trade dispute.
While stressing the need for labour leaders to always differentiate between rascality and true trade unionism, he pointed out that it was wrong for any union to embark on strike in the midst of a collective bargaining process.
Responding to the complaints of organized labour, Senator Ewhrudjakpo set up a committee headed by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr Irorodamie Komonibo, to look into all genuine complaints arising from the consequential adjustments following the implementation of the new minimum wage.
He urged the committee to make appropriate recommendations to government for correction and implementation, where necessary.
In their separate remarks, the State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Simon Barnabas; the Chairperson, Joint Negotiating Council, Mrs Embeleakpo Sonia Andabai and their TUC counterpart, Dr Laye Julius, appreciated government for building and furnishing a befitting labour house for the two labour centres.
They thanked the state government for giving labour a second chance to rub minds at the committee level with a view to working out the right figures while reviewing the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.
In another development, Government has set up the Bayelsa State Transport Management Committee Taskforce to ensure the full implementation of its guidelines in the transport sector.
Inaugurating the Taskforce in Government House, Yenagoa, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, directed the relevant government offices to promptly provide the necessary logistics for members of the taskforce to diligently carry out their assignment without any delay.
A statement issued by his senior special assistant on media, mr Doubara Atasi, said members of the taskforce, were drawn from the state ministry of transport, the national union of road transport workers (NURTW) and the road Transport employers association of nigeria (RTEAN).
The deputy governor charged members of taskforce to start work immediately to stop touting and other unwholesome practices, including the indiscriminate loading of passengers at unauthorized locations in the state capital.
Among other responsibilities, Senator Ewhrudjakpo noted that the taskforce would work together with conventional security agencies to ensure all transport operators comply with the directives and guidelines of the state government.