By Ukpong Ukpong
A few days ago, Governor Umo Bassey Eno, announced the appointment of former Member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan, as Special Adviser on Labour Matters. This appointment is apt, coming at a time government seeks to mend fence with its workforce after the back and forth between representatives of labour and government while negotiating implementation of the minimum wage which caused avoidable delays and thoroughly embarrassed the governor.
The minimum wage saga exposed a lacuna between government and representatives of its workforce. There is no doubt that in order to bridge this communication gap and deliver on his Arise agenda, the governor needs a trusted hand to facilitate a harmonious working relationship with workers upon whom mechanism of governance thrives, which explains the recent signing of an executive order establishing the Labour and Industrial Committee as well as appointing a labour veteran with proven track record as the governor’s Special Adviser on Labour and Industrial Matters.
However, some may wonder ‘why Udo Kierian?’ After all, he has climbed to a zenith in the state political structure. Others may ask ‘is he the only one?’ Well yes, he is – a reservoir of knowledge when it comes to resolving labour disputes and collectives bargaining work contract between employer and employees within and outside the state.
As a Special Adviser to His Excellency on Labour Matters, he will be directly responsible for negotiating and administering collective bargaining between government and representatives of the workforce aimed at a mutually accepted conclusion. Good enough he worked in the civil service, grew through the ranks to emerge a labour leader and afterwards, meritoriously served in the Godswill Akpabio administration in similar capacity. Relying on his wealth of experience, pedigree and contacts within labour, he is the ideal nexus with a good understanding of workers’ perspective.
Back then, as the pioneer Special Adviser on Labour Matters during the Akpabio era, he set uncontestable milestones in the state labour movement such that he remains a reference point till date. Obviously, Governor Umo Eno has read briefs on past government – labour relations, and is aware that the Akpabio administration enjoyed the smoothest government-worker relationship in the history of Akwa Ibom state. It is therefore natural that if he intends to emulate such seamless harmony then his stake on Udo Kierian is 10 over 10.
With Kierian in the picture, labour negotiations will be comprehensive, collaborative, consultative and with no room for speculations or avoidable delays as witnessed in the recent minimum wage saga that rocked the state. In a sense, by appointing Udo Kierian, the governor is taking two steps backwards in order to make a giant leap four steps forward.
In addition, most if not all tangible attainments of the Akpabio administration towards workers’ welfare, point to the sterling stewardship of Udo Kierian as Special Adviser on Labour Matters. The crowning of that administration’s labour policy was the creation of the Bureau of Labour and Productivity which metamorphosed into a full-fledged ministry. According to its pioneer permanent secretary, Dr. Nestor Udo, in an article published in local newspapers in 2010, the decision to create a platform to resolve labour issues was a turning point in the state’s government- worker relationship.
Udoh pointed out that before creation of the bureau, myriad of labour related issues used to deteriorate into downing of tools, picketing and protests because government had no information nor tools nor platform to interface with labour leaders. However, with the creation of the bureau and appointment of Udo Kierian, the then governor, fully armed with information was careful to avoid mistakes made by his predecessors in handling labour related issues hence his administration was not marred by with workers’ strikes, sometimes for frivolous and ignoble reasons.
Sir Udo Kierian once made a profound statement about labour relations, during one of several interviews he had with this writer, saying “contemporary labour struggle has evolved beyond strikes and demonstrations to negotiated agreements between parties involved thereby creating a win-win conclusion for everyone”, noting that under his watch several labour related issues have been trashed out amicably without recourse to grandstanding, intimidation, strike or downing of tools.
Needless to say that the then governor took the glory and became very popular among workers and by extension the entire people because his policies impacted directly on their livelihood. Some of his achievements include donation of 10 Marco polo buses to alleviate transport cost among workers and cars to industrial unions in the state; the payment of Akpabiomber; payment of gratuities to retired primary school teachers as well as 20% upward review of pension allowance to all categories of state and local government pensioners. By adhering to good advice, that administration was also able to check high rate of unemployment in the state.
Other equally remarkable milestones government recorded through the Bureau of Labour and Productivity under Sir Udo Kierian included negotiating and obtaining a 15% CONTISS (Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure) for state owned tertiary institutions, 22% increase in salary of medical doctors and dentists in the state, recall of sacked workers of Akwa Ibom State Water Company, recognition the National Union of Road Transport Workers as well as abrogation of the obnoxious dichotomy in salary payment between civil servants working in ministries and those working in departments and agencies (formerly known as parastatals); there was also copious training and retraining of the state workforce to keep them up to date with global changes in civil service operations and providing motivational incentives for workers like the 100% increase in the car loan.
That said, it is expected that as Sir Udo Kierian assumes office there an urgent need to work towards returning Productivity to a stand-alone department within the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning. The original purpose of establishing the ministry, beside settling employer-employee disputes, was to monitor, evaluate performance of workers and if need be, motivate the workforce to optimum level of productivity. This was to be achieved through creation of productivity desks in ministries, departments and agencies both at state and local government levels. This remarkable policy drive, which unfortunately has been watered down and relegated to a mere annual event by the Civil serviceCommission, gave state government the platform to drive initiatives which promoted workers’ welfare and productivity. Furthermore, it would earn the state both national and international recognition as it may likely host national or international productivity events which would further enrich the quality of workforce in the state.
The return of Udo Kierian and establishment of the State Labour and Industrial Committee is an intentional move that will hopefully rekindle healthy and robust government – labour engagements that should rub off on the private sector bringing about improvement in remunerations, entitlements and sundry welfare packages for all workers in the state and their families. Accordingly, the return of Governor Umo Eno’s thoughtful investment in building and sustaining good labour relations is goodwill and popularity he can rely on few months to come. In view of these developments, there is certainly much to write about in the coming days.
Ukpong Ukpong writes from Idoro – Itu. You can reach him via phone or sms on 08061214258 or 08157882300.
