The Federal Government is committed to entrenching an industrial relations system that will provide the enabling environment for Nigerian workers and avoid strikes in the country.
Prof. Stephen Ocheni, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, said this in Abuja on Monday while declaring open a meeting of experts and stakeholders for the development of a National Industrial Relations Policy.
Ocheni said that the policy, when developed, would create the enabling environment for workers to contribute towards the strengthening of the national economy.
According to him, developing a National Industrial Relations Policy is predicated on the incessant industrial actions being experienced in different sectors of the nation’s economy.
“Also, there is an emerging unhealthy competition and rivalry among the trade unions over the jurisdictional scope, thereby heating up the industrial relations atmosphere.
“This is why a policy that will create an enabling environment for a seamless conduct of industrial relations becomes imperative.
“This policy will, therefore, provide guidelines that will ensure industrial peace and harmony in the work places and the country at large.
“This will go a long way to enhance the country’s GDP growth and contribute positively to the realization of the economic recovery and growth plan (ERGP) of President Muhammadu Buhari.’’
The minister given its strategic role in promoting consensus and social dialogue, the policy would provide a rallying point for all stakeholders to own the process and ensure its sustainability.
Ocheni said the policy would also define the roles and responsibilities for the social partners as well as provide the necessary checks and balances.
He observed that the absence of a national policy on industrial relations has been the bane of the nation’s industrial relations system which the government was determined to address.
He said that the ministry would support efforts that would continuously promote peaceful and harmonious industrial atmosphere as it is key for the sustainable development of the nation’s economy.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Bolaji Adebiyi, said the formulation of the framework would facilitate the realisation of government’s objective to enthrone an industrial relations system.
Adebiyi said that the formulation and implantation of the policy would play a significant role in moderating the conduct of social partners in the industrial relations environment.
“It will assign roles and responsibilities to the various stakeholders and galvanize the system for higher national productivity.
“I want to assure you that the outcome of this meeting will lay a very solid foundation for the process of developing a national policy towards enduring peace and industrial harmony in the workplace,” he added.
In his reaction, the President, Trade Union Congress(TUC), Mr Bobboi Kaigama, said the development of the policy was apt.
Kaigama said the policy, when developed, would act as a midwife between the government and the trade unions in the country.
Similarly, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, General Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), said that the policy would ensure adherence to the collective bargaining process. (NAN)
