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The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) on Thursday cautioned labour leaders in political offices to guide against anything that would undermine industrial relations in the country.
Mr Solomon Onaghinon, Secretary General, ASCSN, stated this in an interview with some reporters in Lagos.
Onaghinon expressed worry that most labour leaders appointed into political offices, often get involved in negative means of settling industrial disputes.
“I am sad that some labour leaders appointed by governments as political office holders, often fail to tell their principals the truth during dispute resolution.
“When there is a dispute between an employee and employer, it is sad that traditional rulers and religious leaders are often invited to settle it,’’ he said.
Onaghinon said that such means of resolving disputes was against industrial relation practice and could weaken labour movement.
He advised labour leaders on political appointments, to educate their principals on labour issues and play the right roles, so as not to destroy industrial relation practice in Nigeria.
The association secretary urged political leaders not to embark on anti-people policies.
“The politicians cannot continue to rule themselves and discard the wishes of the people no matter how genuine it is, there will not be development or progress with that,’’ Onaghinon said.
On tax, he commended President Goodluck Jonathan for forwarding the Personal Income Tax bill to the national assembly for passage, saying that its passage would benefit the people.
The secretary urged the government to ensure that the tax payers’ money was judiciously used to provide basic infrastructures and welfare for the people.
On wage, Onaghinon expressed regret that the N18, 000 minimum wage signed into law in March 2011 was yet to be implemented.?