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Managing Staff Welfare
I acknowledge that staff welfare is an imperative in every and any organisation that desires growth; real growth. The staff are the greatest assets of any institution and a happy workforce works wonders.
I am elated that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) called off their planned Indefinite Strike Action. This however, does not take away the fact that the employees deserve a living wage and an improved standard of living. It also does not diminish the content of the agitation, however like I had stated before, we need to treat the cause rather than the symptoms. It is not just about more money but a system that is fair to the majority.
I have been in conversation with several people on this. I have also had the privilege of working within the Civil/Public Service. One of the greatest challenges I see is the lack of care for the welfare of civil servants. Worse is the affluence exhibited by political office holders, who do close to nothing to earn their keep. Listening to civil servants speak, you can feel their grieve and pain. They have the believe that their leaders do not care about them. If the leaders do, they hardly show it, but wait! When some try to show it, the workers act very suspicious and a weak leader would simply back down.
I recall my first encounter with civil servants as a public servant. The staff come to work with their tables and chairs. They also come with their stationeries, air conditioners etc. Their pay was appalling for lack of a better word. I knew that such persons cannot be working for any government but themselves. With their support, we tried to improve on their work status; we provided them with comfortable working environment and tools. We even took steps to ensure their monthly pay improved. They didn’t need NLC or external forces to make that happen.
One of the grievances that resonates is the amount of salaries and allowances being paid to political office holders and the affluence they display while civil servants live in penury. I have never seen their payroll but if indeed those claims are true, civil society should consider working to redress that. The gaps are hug and we all have the same basic needs. Government should strive to provide an even playing field while NLC should pursue establishment of a formidable workforce.
My opinion is that the root of these discords is a lack of sincere leadership on all fronts. We are not addressing the core issues. The leaders seem more interested in their personal/political survival. Indeed the current salaries are appalling! If salaries are increased today without a structure that ensures sustainability, what happens next?
Let us jointly seek out amicable ways to improve our economy and welfare.
Comments
2 responses to “Managing Staff Welfare”
Frankly I am bemused as to why political office holders have the allowances they have, the payment system of the nation can only be described as ” Killing the goose that lays the golden egg” it is day light robbery and to think we are a sane nation in the light of such is simply to lie to ourselves. I spoke to an inspector or ASP of police sometime ago and he told me his take home pay is barely 80k, I was lost in thought after that conversation, I just couldn’t fathom how a security officer that has a family and has served for 8years can make a headway with that, they have no housing scheme or educational budget for their kids and yet we expect them to give their best in service? Frankly a civil servant shouldn’t have to worry about accommodation(Govt can partner with private sector to develope low cost housing and mortgage to civil servants) and schooling for their kids(at least 3 of their kids), that way they can be fully motivated to serve. The remuneration system of the nation needs a total overhaul o… also Political office holders should be rewarded primarily by benefits and privileges during and after their tenure of service and not primarily by cash, that way we can filter out those primarily motivated by greed with no intent to serve. Also for the civil servants remuneration should be based on productivity and not a statutory payment system, so if you decide to work only twice or five times in a week it reflects accordingly in your pay. Na the politicians (Senators and house of rep esp) own dey vex me wella.
Onene,
This is a fantastic piece. While I agree with the piece in general, the civil service does have major issues. It is a place where drivers own properties, clerks have more cars than one can imagine and still portray that lean and hungry look as Shakespeare would describe. The civil service is a place where the staff double as contractors, dead people still get paid and all lament extreme poverty akin to the seven hungry cows dried up by the East wind eat fat cows and still want more.
Unless there is a serious overhaul or revamping as it were, the same story will still be told.
Well done my sister and I look forward to reading more of your work
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