Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
In a significant move to foster sustainable peace and productivity within the Federal Civil Service, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) convened a one-day sensitization workshop for Directors of Human Resources and Union Leaders from various Ministries and Extra Ministerial Departments. This was contained in a statement signed by Mrs.Eno Olotu, mnipr, Director, Information and Public Relations.
The workshop, held in Abuja, aimed to bridge communication gaps and strengthen the collaborative framework between top management and organized labour. A pivotal outcome of the event was the official signing of the newly developed “Guidelines for Engagement between Management and Labour Unions in MDAs.”
In her address, delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Mrs. Patience Oyekunle, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, stated that the initiative was timely, given recurring industrial tensions rooted in miscommunication and procedural disregard.
“Unionism is a legitimate platform for protecting workers’ rights,” Mrs. Oyekunle noted. “However, its success hinges on professionalism, mutual respect, and strict compliance with the established rules of the public service. This workshop underscores our commitment to institutionalizing a culture of dialogue and shared responsibility.”
She outlined the core objectives of the workshop, which included: Strengthening adherence to dispute resolution protocols.· Promoting civility and ethics in union engagements., Building enduring mutual trust between management and labour and Ensuring sustained industrial harmony across the public service.
The President of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Comrade Shehu Mohammed, commended the OHCSF for the initiative. He described the workshop and new guidelines as “a clear demonstration of government’s commitment to improving industrial relations and maintaining a peaceful, productive, and accountable civil service.”
The event featured expert-led technical sessions on critical topics, including: Understanding the Legal Framework of Industrial Relations in the Public Service., Professional Navigation of the Dispute Resolution Process, Promoting Constructive Unionism through Ethics, Accountability, and Communication.
The newly signed guidelines, developed collaboratively by the OHCSF, JNPSNC, and other stakeholders, are designed to institutionalize professionalism, transparency, and fairness in all union-management interactions. The document is intended as a living framework, open to review as the service evolves.
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