By: Our Reporter, Calabar
The State governor, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu has called on the labour unions in the State to mobilize their members to ginger improved productivity and accountability in the State workforce.
Otu made the call when he flagged off a two – day workshop for stakeholders from government and labour leaders tagged “Effective Government- Labour Relations in Cross River State Civil/Public Service.”
The governor who was represented by the Head of Service, Dr Innocent Ebri Eteng said his administration has so far initiated policies and programmes that are targeted at improving the welfare of the workforce and the average Cross Riverian noting that the labour leaders hold sway to the greater job as to whether or not the government succeeds
Highlighting the importance of the workshop, the governor explained that his administration is centered on ” The People First” adding that the workshop was to provide an opportunity for the labour unions to ventilate and aggregate their views as well as understanding their roles in such a manner that both will work as partners in progress.
He challenged them to pick up the task of supporting the government to find lasting solutions to the ghost workers syndrome in the State’s payroll for the overall benefit of the people.
In a welcome address presented at the workshop, the Commissioner for Establishments ,Training and Pensions, Hon. Mrs. Lawrencia E. Ita said that the State Government is committed to addressing the grey areas that have reduced the impetus of Civil and Public Service with a view to rejuvenating the entire system and retrieve the lost glory.
Hon.Mrs.Ita said the resource persons were drawn from both ends of the divide to brainstorm and fashion out strategies that are in tune with global best practice so that a new model of government- labour relationship in governance approach in the State could evolve.
She appreciated Governor Otu for approving the proposal for the workshop describing him as a highly sensitive , accommodating and reliable leader.
Commissioner Ita assured that more workshops are underway for other categories of workers. The workshop procedure featured lead presentations followed by discussion and interactive sessions to reinforce learning.
