By Our Correspondent

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has been commended for convening a stakeholders’ forum to acquaint him with current issues affecting the state workforce with a view to finding sustainable solution to gain mutual benefit for government and workers in the state.

The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Council Comrade Williams Akporeha made this commendation at the end of a one day stakeholders forum held in Asaba recently for Labour Leaders in the state by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Comrade Akporeha stated that the forum afforded the governor and other stakeholders the opportunity to deliberate on very key issues like prompt payment of workers’ salaries and other labour related matters that will build confidence between government and workers in the state.

“I want to truly commend His Excellency Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his clear initiative for putting labour issues on the priority list. It really afforded us an opportunity to bring some of the key issues such as payment of workers’ salaries as at when due and others that requires his prompt attention”.

The labour Leader reiterates Congress readiness to cooperate and partner with the state government for progress, industrial harmony and development of the state. “Congress certainly looks forward to a continuation of this type of direct interface between government and labour for a clearer understanding of issues as they affect the different affiliate industrial unions of the NLC in the state.”

While stressing the need for Congress preference for a direct relationship between government and labour, Comrade Akporeha noted that it will make it easier for government to handle specific issues as they relate to the different industrial unions since they all have union chairmen in the state.

“From our experience, it is easier for His Excellency to handle issues directly with a particular industrial union chairman in a forum like this rather than through government Special Adviser or Assistant”, adding that, “The experiment of having Special Adviser on Labour introduced by the immediate past government has so far failed to achieve the intended objective and have continued to make resolution of industrial issues more complex due to misrepresentations at some point”.

Comrade Akporeha pledged Congress unalloyed cooperation with the administration of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to maintain the existing industrial harmony in the state but however regretted that “appointment of Special Adviser on Labour Matters has not helped government/labour relations in the state. The state labour leader therefore strongly advocated for a direct government relationship with labour leaders on issues concerning their specific sector.”