Labour disagrees with Kwara govt over promotion exercise postponement

By Admin

The organized labour under the aegis of Joint State Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC), Kwara State Chapter has disagreed with the state government over the indefinite postponement of 2020 promotion exercise as announced by the Head of Service, Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole.

The state government had earlier fixed July 13, 2020 for promotion meetings for staff of all ministries, departments and agencies (MDA’s), but announced an indefinite postponement in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Head of Service (HOS), Muritala Atoyebi citing COVID -19 as reasons for the decision.

But the organized labour in released under the umbrella of the Joint State Public Service Negotiating Council, Kwara state chapter disagreed with the government on the postponement.

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The letter dated 15thJuly, 2020, addressed to the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq a copy of which was made available to journalists at the weekend, suggested ways to carry out the exercise without violating COVID-19 protocols.

In the letter, jointly signed by chairman and Secretary (JNC)Trade Union Side. comrade Saliu .O. Suleiman and comrade. Joseph Tunde .M. respectively, said issues regarding workers welfare including minimum wage have been pending before the outbreak of virus.

The letter reads in parts ‘‘Sir, this is our suggestion towards the meeting of the promotion exercise in the state. Without prejudice, the programme can be done either through the following ways: ‘‘The Committee members should have their meeting through zoom application while the affected officers’ appearance and discussion is viewed through the same application and procedure” ‘

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“Office of Head of Service should make arrangement for the provision of the zoom link and management for the committee’s assignment to be carried out”

‘‘Furthermore, the exercise can be done in batches and in a gradual process devoid of a crowded population in which social distancing can be strictly observed in line with guideline provided by the Covid-19 committee in the state”

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“Again, the issue of Covid-19 did not stop the press briefing of the committee members. If that is the case, the promotion meeting members cannot be more than five each and it is advisable for each MDA’s affected to do it in a separate manner devoid crowded population.

This can be done only if we are committed and willing” ‘‘However, if the virtual approach through the zoom application cannot be achieved and all other suggested options, your Excellency has a final say’’.

Source: Nigerian Pilot