In its avowed stance to maintain harmonious industrial relations with labour unions in the State, Rivers State Civil Service (RSCS) is to train its staff on Labour and Industrial Relations. Head of Service, Barr Samuel LongJohn stated this when officials of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies visited him in his office in Port Harcourt recently. He requested the Director of Administration in the Establishment, Training and Pensions Bureau, Mr. Nnamdi Okpu to identify some staff, especially Labour Desk Officers to undergo a programme at the Port Harcourt Centre of the Institute when established. Barr LongJohn who described dialogue as key to the maintenance of Industrial peace and harmony, said knowledge of labour/industrial relations by workers would engender optimum service delivery.
“I believe in dialogue; dialogue is a key factor in settling disputes, I believe that if people sit down and talk and understand themselves, there will be no problem, and when workers have knowledge of labour and industrial relations, they will be better equipped to perform their duties” he stressed. He pledged the support of the State Government to assist the Institute in whatever way possible to enable them open a training centre in Port Harcourt and advised them to put their requests in writing, stating clearly their areas of need.
“Count on my support any day any time, I’ll do everything possible for labour to be able to perform their function better and to understand the side of Government; whatever you do to enable Government have very good industrial relations will be appreciated”, the Head of Service said. Earlier, the Director, Academic and Distance Learning Programme of the Institute, Alhaji Alabi Ishaq said the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies is a tripartite institution owned by the Federal Government and accredited by the National Board for Technical Education to run a National Diploma Course in Labour/Industrial Relations.
He said they were in his office to solicit support to set up a training centre in Port Harcourt to serve the South-South geo-political zone, stressing that knowledge of industrial relations is vital in maintaining cordial relations. “Industrial relations is a specialized knowledge, disharmony occurs because of lack of knowledge of industrial issues and there can be no development in an atmosphere of industrial unrest hence the need to set up the Institute to educate workers”, the Director pointed out.
Alhaji Ishaq said the National Diploma is recognized and could be used to gain admission into the University, adding that all cadres of staff including trade unionists are eligible to take part in the programme.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Chika Onuegbu and his counterpart of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service Employees (AUPCTRE), Comrade James Kobah said participation in the programme is fundamental to harmonious labour relations, adding that the most important key to being a labour leader is to have knowledge of labour relations and appealed to the Head of Service to sponsor some of their members to undertake the training.
Others in attendance include Heads of Departments of the Institution and Directors in the Office of the Head of Service.
