Minister of Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika has commended Aviation unions for display of commitment and patriotism by suspending the recent industrial action.
Sirika said the ministry is determined to resolve all outstanding industrial relations matters within the shortest time possible.
Sirika, who spoke at the 2022 Annual Joint Consultative and Negotiating Council (JCNC) retreat in Calabar was represented by the Director of Human Resources in the Ministry, Shehu Dogo, said the adoption of automation systems has fundamentally raised personnel management in workplace and boost productivity.
The theme of the retreat was ‘Labour Leaders as strategic partners in driving the automation of personnel performance management system in the aviation sector.
He affirmed that automaton process has been adopted in contemporary public and private organizations, making it norm and culture all over the world.
Sirika said the aviation sector of the nation’s economy was set to spearhead and deepen adoption of automation in its agencies with a view to raising work standards among aviation workers and enhance revenue generation in all revenue generating agencies under the supervision of the ministry.
He commended the JCNC for sustaining the the noble initiative also various aviation unions in the industry for identifying with the Joint Aviation Trade Unions’ Forum (JATUF).
He expressed hope that the depth of knowledge and experiences shared among the resource persons and participants will enhance future engagements with management of government and private organizations in the struggle for improved welfare in workplace
Chairman of JCNC, Comrade Hector Nnadi, in his address said the retreat which attracted over 80 participants was organized to examine the way forward at sustaining industrial harmony in the workplace and growth of the aviation industry. It was also an avenue to take appraisal of the unions’ strategy in negotiating for the welfare of aviation workers and better workplace environment.
Nnadi said it was time for the unions to tell themselves the truth in view of happenings in the industry as it relates to industrial relations issues such as strike, protests viz a vis global labour best practices in view of the apparent fact that aviation is global.
He said the retreat provided the opportunity to look at how the labour leaders as strategic social partners to management of both government and private sectors could through synergy and technology help to improve the system(s) that survive us and the working class without destroying it
According to him, though the time for the retreat was short but it was agreed that labour leaders should come together to take an overview of the sector especially automation, how personnel performance can help drive some of the new policies and how unions can also engage authorities strategically.
The JCNC boss said that recently the Council went round the geo-political zones of the country to sensitize workers on the issue of personnel automation adding that there was need to talk to leaders of the workers hence the retreat was organized in Calabar by the Ministry of Aviation
Nnadi said they were colaborating to ensure that people were not caught unaware when the policies will commence
He lauded the Minister, permanent secretary and director of human resource in the Ministry of Aviation for their roles in the workers welfare.
