By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa—LEADERS of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and  Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC,   weekend in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, threw their weight behind the “No Work, No Pay” policy of the state government, as part of measures at making the public service more result-oriented.

Labour unions in a  meeting with Governor Seriake Dickson lent its support to the government reform and effective implementation of the policy.

In their separate remarks, state chairman of the NLC, John Ndiomu and his TUC counterpart, Tari Dounana, said the policy would go a long way in checking acts of indiscipline such as absenteeism, truancy and politicization of the service.

They also applauded the state government for its decision to commence full payment of salaries to workers with effect from January and urged civil servants to desist from acts that could jeopardise their career in the service.

Expressing satisfaction with the government’s policies and programmes, labour lauded Dickson’s decision to set up committees and sub committees involving representatives of the various unions in addressing issues of the civil service.

Speaking, Governor Dickson called on the leadership of the unions to be part of the process in the implementation of the planned reforms, aimed at inculcating work culture and professionalism in the public service.

Assuring workers of that, state the government would strive to meet its salary obligation, as at when due, described 2016 as a very challenging year and gave kudos to the labour unions and workers generally for their show of understanding during the period.

He said the December 2016 salary would be treated as backlog, noting that, in no distant time the government would defray the outstanding arrears of salaries for last year, when the economic situation improves.

The governor called on the NLC and TUC to be part of the reform process of the service in tackling the excesses of workers and entrench work ethics in the public service.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation,  Jonathan Obuebite commended the labour leaders for their endorsement of “No Work, No Pay” policy and thanked them for their support.