FG urges aviation unions to shun strike
The federal government has urged aviation unions against embarking on strikes during disputes to desist from such action as it halts economic growth and development. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata urged the workers to explore consultations, cooperation, and collaboration, noting that they were key to achieving […]
The federal government has urged aviation unions against embarking on strikes during disputes to desist from such action as it halts economic growth and development.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata urged the workers to explore consultations, cooperation, and collaboration, noting that they were key to achieving success in the aviation sector.
Speaking in Abuja yesterday at the 12th Edition of the Aviation Workers Week organised by the Joint Consultative and Negotiating Council (JCNC), Kofarmata said: “Please, I want us to know that the question or thought of even going on strike in this sector should not exist. We should not even think about it. Thinking about it is devilish. It’s evil. Our parents, ourselves, our children, brothers, neighbours, friends, they all use this sector.
“So if we go on strike, what message are we sending? That they are not safe”.
He stressed that workers’ welfare was crucial to the industry’s success, adding that whoever is at the helm of affairs of the ministry must know that workers’ welfare matters.
“The welfare of the workers is what makes us what we are. If you are a minister or you are a permanent secretary and you think you are the only human being, you’d better think twice.”
Kofarmata also urged the workers to avoid self-destruction and promote unity.
He said: “The greatest enemy of civil servants is the civil servants themselves. Civil servants are fond of writing petitions against themselves. In a relationship, be it an office relationship or a personal relationship, the three C’s should be applied. The Cs are consultation, cooperation, and collaboration. War doesn’t solve any problem. Why do we need to destroy it?”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the JCNC, Comrade Hector Nnadi, called for job security and protection of staff during the ongoing concessioning of some airports.
Nnadi also called for collaboration and partnerships between the union and the ministry to ensure the protection of the staff.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, Nnadi said there is a need to work together to ensure that workers’ rights are protected and the industry remains attractive to potential and existing investors.