By Stella Odueme
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has stated that structured dialogue is necessary, at periodic intervals, for constructive engagement and warm interaction with stakeholders to sustain industrial peace and harmony in the workplace.
“It is now time for all of us to continuously collaborate and embrace the principles of collective bargaining and mutual respect at all meetings, we are to embrace the tenets of integrity, merit, performance and transparency in the conduct of Government business, in consonance with the ethics of the Service, to avoid disputes and conflicts in the overall national interest,” she affirmed.
The HoSF, who was represented by the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare (SWO) in the OHCSF, Dr. Comfort Adeosun, spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Separate and Joint Meetings of the National Public Service Negotiating Council with the theme ; “Digitalization as an Effective and Efficient Tool for Service Delivery in the Public Service,” which held from January 30th to February 2nd.
Dr.Yemi-Esan said that the theme for the Council Meetings aimed at improving performance in the workplace, was expedient as it highlighted the importance of periodic review of operational systems in the Service for enhanced performance, as well as result-oriented practices, which promotes effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery to the public.
She also stated that labour unions must continue to be at the forefront of policy drive “to accelerate the implementation of the pillar six of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021 – 2025 (FCSSIP 25), geared towards improving staff performance and welfare with prioritized initiatives to enhance value proposition for civil servants.
She spoke of the need to foster partnership between Government and the Trade Unions, towards the achievement of the various welfare programmes initiated by the OHCSF.
Some of the welfare initiatives put in place by the Office, according to her, include the Federal Public Service Entrepreneurship Programme (FPSEP), Federal Civil Service Bus Scheme, Awards and Recognition Scheme and the Institutionalisation of Performance Management System(PMS). She urged Council members to continuously collaborate and embrace the principles of collective bargaining and mutual respect at all fora.
