Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, on Wednesday, charged labour unions to partner with the government to deliver his administration`s agenda to advance the development of the state.

The governor gave the charge at a one-day workshop for state labour union leaders in Asaba.

The workshop was organised by the Office of Labour Relations and SERVICOM, domiciled in the office of the senior policy adviser to the governor

The theme of the workshop was “Enhancing Labour-Government Relations.”

The governor was represented by his deputy, Monday Onyeme.

The governor said the workshop was timely and most appropriate, given the contemporary national economic experience.

“When we talk about organised labour, we talk about umbrella bodies of all workers in all sectors of the economy: the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC),” he said.

Mr Oborevwori appealed to the union and the workers to key into the administration’s agenda to ensure success for all in the state.

”This is the best way to go if we must be comfortable in our place of work, our homes and wherever we find ourselves.

“As a government, we shall continue to encourage the people of Delta to put in their best in their jobs to excel in their chosen fields of life.

“Be assured that we shall continue to place high priority on the welfare of workers and implement staff-friendly policies, and you should reciprocate this by bringing out your best for us to get it right as a people,” he said.

In a remark, the Delta State head of service, Reginald Bayoko, said that the dialogue between organised labour and government in Nigeria had been fraught with challenges.

Mr Bayoko said that miscommunication, unmet expectations and unresolved grievances had often escalated into conflict, which had undermined public service delivery and the welfare of workers.

He said that the era of frosty relations must give way to a new dawn of partnership and collaboration.

“We are here to redefine our approach to labour-government relations, to embrace dialogue over confrontation, and to seek solutions that benefit all stakeholders.

“Accordingly, the significance of today’s workshop cannot be overstated. It offers a platform to reflect, learn and plan,” Mr Bayoko said.

Earlier, the Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor, Funkekeme Solomon, thanked the governor for his support in organising the workshop.

“It underscores the premium the governor attaches to building and sustaining the harmonious and good working relationship existing between the state government and organised labour,“ he said

On his part, the chairman of the state Trade Union Congress (TUC), Martins Bolum, lauded the state government for the training and collaboration with the workers’ union.

He pledged the union’s readiness to sustain the peaceful relationship between the workers and the government.

”In Delta, we don’t fight; we preempt the challenges, and our relationship with the government has remained cordial,” he said.

(NAN)