The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has urged union leaders and workers to work together in unity towards achieving
the common good for all.
Sirika who was represented by the Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Mr. Akin Olateru, gave the advice at a One-Day Union Retreat organised by the Joint Union Negotiating Council (JUNC), the umbrella union of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, over the week end in Abuja, with the theme: Dynamic Labour Leader: An Asset to Organisational Growth.
According to him, the contributions of trade unions and the key drivers of union (Union Leaders) cannot be over-emphasized in the growth and development of the society.
He said: “I salute the vision of the Union leadership and all Union Executives here present. This event has availed me with the unique opportunity of briefly interacting with all Union Executives and participants.
He however assured that the outcome of the programme will serve as a springboard to digging deep into all matters raised thereto.
While underscoring the importance of an enabling law, he advised the union leaders to pursue an Act of parliament that would protect workers against uncertainties in the event of collapse of organisation.
He urged them to lobby the National Assembly to come up with an enabling act that would protect workers against uncertainties in their establishments.
The minister said that when the defunct Nigerian Airways was liquidated, the airlines’ staff in UK got their full entitlements, while those in Nigeria could not because of lack of strong laws that protect workers.
According to him, it is good to fight for money but it is better to look inward towards solving problems and developing workers’ skills. ”The unions should come together in fighting for the same course and look at how to solve this constant problem.” he said.
Sirika, said that the contributions of trade union to the growth of every organisation was very important, saying that the outcome of the retreat would serve as springboard to addressing labour matters in the industry.
The Chairman, Joint Council Chairman of the Joint Union Negotiating Council, Federal Ministry of transportation, Mr. Hector Nnandi, in his welcome remarks, said the choice of the topic for deliberation was the outcome of the Union Executives’ resolution meetings in November and December last year.
Nnandi explained that without any iota of doubt the role of trade unions in contemporary workplace environment cannot be over-emphasized, adding that it is this singular factor that propelled the unanimous choice of this year’s main theme.
He said: ”I must profoundly acknowledge the consistent support and cooperation of Management in its attempt at meeting the yearnings and aspirations of staff of the Ministry despite the existence of series of competing demands from within and outside the Ministry. We sincerely hope to sustain this degree of cordiality and synergy in the years ahead.
”Arising from my submissions above, may I humbly use this occasion to fervently appeal to all Union Executives/participants in this august event to buckle up, re-energize and realize that the tasks ahead are not only challenging but also monumental in all ramifications. However, with an abiding faith, strong sense of purpose and focus, we shall always be considered as key players
in the discharge of the Ministry’s core mandates.”