Lagos to commence payment of leave allowance to staff – HOS
Olaoluwa Folalu
Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs. Ademola Olabowale on Thursday disclosed that the State Government has concluded plans to implement all requests made by the State Joint Negotiating Council for workers in the State including the commencement of the payment of bulk annual leave bonus for all the state government employees later in the year.
Mrs Olabowale added that the State Government has also approved the review of Staff Appraisal method, all aimed at maintaining a continued industrial peace in the State between the State Government and the various Unions within the public service.
The HOS who made this disclosure on at Year 2016 Bi-Annual Lagos State Public Service Joint Negotiating Council meeting held at Lagos Television complex, Agindingbi, Ikeja, added that the periodic meeting with the leadership of workers in the public service is a manifestation of the value government attaches to the welfare of its workforce.
The Lagos civil servants boss stressed that effective dialogue between the two parties in the past had proven that many issues that could have led to explosive disputes, strikes and other forms of industrial action were avoided.
“At the second quarterly meeting with the JNC held two weeks ago, the Governor of Lagos State, approved the elongated salary structure, commencement of the en-bloc payment of Leave Allowance, provision of new utility vehicles for all the unions in batches as well as the review of the Staff Performance Evaluation policy involving promotion examination policy in the State Public Service. Government has equally increased the Staff Housing Loan Fund to N100 million from 50 million.
“The Governor also announced that the ongoing multi-story development at the old car park originally meant for use as office block would now be converted into a Workers’ Welfare complex housing a day care centre, staff cafeteria, recreational centre, staff cooperative store selling goods at discounted rates and penthouse office for the JNC amongst other amenities geared towards the well-being of Public Servants”, she said.
The Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola, Benson Oke in his speech pleaded with the union to always follow the path of dialogue in pressing home their demands, adding that he would do all within his power to ensure that no issue between the Unions and the State Government end in industrial action.
He challenged the labour leaders to prioritize improved service delivery and continue to seek issues that would enhance the welfare of public servants by eschewing disloyalty, indiscipline and nonchalant attitude in order to increase productivity.
The Commissioner called on all public servants to reciprocate the gesture of the State Government and assist the present administration in fulfilling its electoral promises to the citizens of the State, stressing that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’.