The newly elected executives of the Gombe State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has pledged to engage the state government in dialogue rather than confrontation in resolving dispute between labour and government.
Comrade Yusuf Aish Bello, the new Chairman of the NLC in Gombe State, made the pledge when he led the members of the council on a familiarisation visit to the Deputy Governor of the state, Manasseh Daniel Jatau, in his office.
The Chairman also pledged Labour’s commitment to partnering with the APC- led administration in the state towards the well being of civil servants and the generality of the people in the state.
He said, the new executive intends to continue in dialogue with the state government in pursuit of a conducive atmosphere of work and productivity as well as for the rights and benefits of workers.
According to him, “Days of fighting the government over benefits are over. We shall adopt dialogue in all dealings with the government for the benefit of our workers in the state”.
He stated also that the Deputy Governor, who is the Chairman of the standing committee on minimum wage and at the same time, presided over the minimum wage negotiation in the past, stood in a better position to appreciate their visit and understand Labour better.
He appealed to the Deputy Governor to revisit the issues of the implementation of the minimum wage that were pending since there is now a remarkable increase in the income and internally generated revenue accruable to the state.
He said, the officials of NLC in the state had during the negotiation in the past, considered the unfortunate position of the state funds having been shown the totality of the income then, and are now pleading for the inclusion of the Local Government Employees in the minimum wage payment since there is an appreciation.
The Deputy Governor, Manasseh Daniel Jatau, while appreciating the visit and support given by the workers towards their re-election, commended the manner in which the members conducted themselves during their Quadrennial Delegates Congress when the new executive was elected.
He called on the NLC officials to insist on capacity building of the workers in view of the technological advancement of this age so that they may blend well with the new challenges.
He assured them of always leaving his door open to welcome and listen to them towards good governance and well being of workers and the residents of Gombe State.
