The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Delta State Council, has welcomed the state government’s approval of a 13th-month salary for civil servants, but urged the government to engage organised labour to develop a clear implementation framework for the welfare initiative.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the TUC in the state, Wilson Asekutu, the union described the policy as a positive response to a long-standing demand by workers and a recognition of the contributions of public servants to the state’s development.
While commending Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for approving the initiative, the union expressed concern that the announcement was made without prior consultation with recognised labour leaders.
According to the TUC, engaging organised labour is necessary to guarantee clarity, transparency, equity and the long-term sustainability of the policy.
The union called for an urgent meeting with the state government to jointly define the operational framework for the payment, stressing that consultations would help clarify key issues, including the components of the 13th-month salary, eligibility criteria, method of computation and the annual payment timeline.
It also noted that discussions would ensure the sustainability of the policy, regardless of future economic or administrative changes, while promoting compliance with the principles of collective bargaining and social dialogue.
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The TUC maintained that early engagement between government and labour would strengthen transparency, foster industrial harmony and minimise misinformation, adding that a mutually agreed implementation guideline would help prevent disputes and conflicting interpretations.
“The introduction of new remuneration or changes to workers’ conditions of service should be implemented through consultation with recognised labour unions in line with internationally accepted principles of collective bargaining,” the statement said.
The union reiterated its appreciation to the state government for what it described as a progressive welfare initiative and pledged its commitment to working with the government to ensure the successful implementation of the policy.
It urged the government to convene a meeting with the leadership of organised labour at the earliest opportunity to agree on the detailed structure and implementation framework for the 13th-month salary, saying such engagement would reinforce mutual trust and ensure that the benefit is implemented fairly, transparently and sustainably for all eligible workers.
