Damilola Oyedele
5 November 2009
Abuja — The Minister of Labour & Productivity, Prince Kayode Adetokunbo, has said the Federal Government can only negotiate with federal staff of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) because of the federalist nature of the Nigerian state.
He, however, appealed to all the striking members to call off their ongoing strike and embrace the open door policy of this administration in solving industrial disputes.
Kayode said this yesterday after inaugurating the new members of the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP), headed by Mr. Adesoji Adesugba in Abuja. He added that government was committed to re-positioning and strengthening the IAP for efficient delivery of its mandate.
Speaking to THISDAY, Kayode added that the Federal Government can only make recommendations to state governments over the implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Salaries Structure (CONJUSS) as it cannot dictate to them what to pay their judicial staff, adding that the issue has to be referred to the Chief Justice of the country.
"We have to refer this matter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria who is chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), who would then refer it to the state governments because 99 percent of judicial staff is under state administration, so the Federal Government cannot do anything about them. In a federal system, you cannot dictate to the states, it is just like the issue of the National Union of Teachers (NUT)," he said.
Earlier, while inaugurating the new panel, Kayode disclosed that the FG was committed to ensuring that the IAP remains independent and impartial in the discharge of its duties which include the resolution of labour related matters.
The modern trend of justice, he said, is through the Alternative Dispute Resolution which is less costly and more expeditious.
Speaking on behalf of the new panel, the Chairman, Mr. Adesoji Adesugba underscored the necessity of having peace in the industrial sector because of its contribution to economic and political stability.
Some weaknesses in the laws establishing the panel, have incapacitated it from enforcing its awards, he said, citing the recent case of contempt of the IAP's order to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its strike for negotiations, which the Union did not obey.
Adesugba added that the team was well equipped to handle the challenges of its mandate, while soliciting government support in the discharge of its duties.
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