Oyo State Govt Moves To Bridge Welfare Gaps Among Industrial Workers

The Oyo State Government has reiterated its commitment to the welfare of workers in the course of its industry friendly policies in the state.

The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Honourable Adebisi Adeniyi, made this known during a sensitization visit to the Nigerian Breweries and the Nigerian Bottling Company (Coca-Cola) on Tuesday.

According to him, the sensitization visit is a routine exercise of the Industrial Crisis Management Committee established by the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to ensure workers’ welfare.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Director of Industry; Engr. Mrs. Majeedat Olanrewaju, who led a delegation of the Committee to both organizations.

The Commissioner explained that the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, has charged the committee to ensure a good rapport between employers and their staff in companies operating in Oyo State.

He said, “This committee is interested in ensuring that many of the disparities in welfare conditions of permanent and contract staff are bridged in order to ensure a worker friendly and productive working environment in the state.

While addressing the management team and the leaders of the labour unions at both organizations, the Commissioner identified welfare and safety concerns and maintenance of peace as the core interests of the committee.

He therefore charged the management team at NBC to expand the restaurant facility to ensure a healthier and hygienic dining environment.

During a facility tour at the Nigerian Breweries, the Brewery Manager, Seun Akinwale, as well as the Corporate Affairs Manager, West & Midwest, Danjuma John-Ekele, stated that the company consider safety and welfare of workers as the biggest subject while ensuring adequate remuneration, welfare packages to both permanent and outsourced workforce.

The Union Chairmen at Nigerian Breweries, Comrade Festus Olubiyo and Comrade Lanbe Lukman of the NBC both applauded the smooth working relationship existing between their members and the organizations.

Highlights of the visit include the inspection of the restaurants, changing rooms, some production lines and some restrooms sections of the business environment.

In their separate responses, the Cooperate Affairs Manager, Mrs. Ifeoma Okoye and the Plant Manager at NBC, Mr. Andrew Barnabas expressed NBC’s readiness to work with the government and comply with government policies to enhance trade and workers’ welfare.