AS part of measures to put paid to the incessant agitations and industrial unrest from its workforce, the Lagos State Government has  inaugurated an 18_man committee charged with the responsibility of developing pay policy, review and salary determination in Lagos public service.

In other words, the committee will henceforth, determine what will constitute wage and salaries for workers in the state.

Governor Babatunde Fashola in his remarks at the inauguration, Ikeja, attributed the causes of frequent pay rise agitations in the country to the formulation of the Federal Government salary administration and pay policy.

The committee is equally expected to consider the relativity of political office holders’ pay to that of the career public officers and professionals in the employ of Lagos State and make appropriate recommendations to the governor and the state executive council.

Salary structure across the 36 states of the federation are currently influenced by the Federal Government policy particularly as determined by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, a development that always lead to agitations and industrial actions in some cases by public servants at state levels seeking to be paid a similar wage with their federal counterparts.

The governor charged the committee to submit its reports with recommendation to his office within 34 working days, specifically September 30th, 2010.

He urged them to work in collaboration with external consultant, who is versatile in the aspect of salary determination, wage fixing and pay policy.

Fashola, said the committee has imperative to address the different pay structures that had been introduced at various times by the Federal Government without recourse to states’ ability to pay.

The committee chaired by the state Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mr. Jide Sanwo_Olu, has its members drawn from various sectors in the state public service.

More unions join striking research institutes workers

MORE unions have joined the ongoingindustrial action by workers of  over 60 Research institutes, colleges, agriculture and allied institutions to compel the Federal Government to conclude stalled negotiations over wage increase and payment of outstanding  monetisation arrears, among others.

The unions are Academic Staff Union of Research Institutes, ASURI, Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, SSAUTHRIAI, and Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Agriculture, ASUCA.

Labour Vanguard gathered that members of these unions joined the  11 days old industrial action mid last week.

General Secretary of NASU, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, told Labour Vanguard that with the development, all activities in these institutions had been parlaysed totally.

UN Scribe lauds Labour Minister

UNITED Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon has commended Nigeria’s Labour and Productivity Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu for his contributions to the success of the recent UN Global Compact Summit.

The Global Compact lays the platform for an understanding between the United Nations and global political leaders on one side and some of the world’s leading international businesses on some common goals such as combating corruption, building markets, safeguarding the environment and social inclusion.

The last UN Global Compact Summit took place in New York, United States between 23rd June and 25th June, 2010.

The Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact office Georg Kellc conveyed the felicitation of Mr. Ban in a letter to Wogu.

The letter dated 16th August 2010, read in part: “On behalf of the Secretary General, I am writing to thank you for your contribution to the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2010, held in New York on 23_25th June. Your remarks and reflections added substantially to the Ministerial Session on 23 June and the Plenary Session on 24 June.”

“At the summit, over 1,200 leaders joined together to advance their shared commitment to the principles of the UN Global Compact. Participants agreed on necessary actions for bringing about a more sustainable future – notably deepening work to advance the principles and strengthening support for critical development goals.”

Soliciting the cooperation of Chief Wogu as the Global Compact enters its second decade, Mr. Ban said:

”As we look ahead to the Global Compact’s second decade, your continued engagement and leadership are crucial for continuing to embed principles into businesses and societies everywhere.”