Enyina charges Labour leaders to encourage government policies that aid development

The Special Adviser on Labour and Productivity, Mr. Ekpenyong Enyina, has charged labour unions in the State to embrace and encourage government policies and programmes that aid development, adding that government will always remain sensitive to the demands of its civil servants.  Mr. Enyina gave the charge recently while playing host to members of the Trade Union wing of Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) in his office, stressing that the intentions of the Udom Emmanuel’s administration are to uplift the status of civil servants through transformational programmes, reminding them of the Governor’s goodwill when he paid a backlog of gratuities to retired local government employees few months after assumption of office.
While explaining the issue of Personal Income Tax, he disclosed “that State Government is not slashing 50% from workers salaries as speculated. Government has approved 50% reduction on the implementation of the Personal Income Tax  Act (PITA) which was enacted by the Federal Government in 2011 and implemented in all the states of the federation but was deferred in Akwa Ibom State” he said.
 The Special Adviser, who said tax payment has always been one of the civic duties of citizens, stated that the implementation of PITA   should not call for uproar but a show of loyalty and patriotism, assuring that Government will continue to provide enabling environment for social dialogue for the overall interest of its workers.
Mr. Enyina advised Union leaders in the state not to resolve issues through rumour mongering or strike but embrace government’s good intentions for the purpose of promoting good governance and sustaining democratic dividends.
He also called for an attitudinal change and a positive mindset towards our leaders as buttressed in the ongoing ‘Dakkada’ campaign.
 Speaking earlier, the Chairman of JPSNC, Comrade Udeme Otong, thanked the Special Adviser for his reception and attentive disposition, adding that the association’s visit was to reassure government of their readiness for partnership that will promote good governance and programmes that will enhance the welfare of all civil servants in the state.
Comrade Otong disclosed that the body was strongly against the implementation of the PITA as circulated by the State Government due to non-involvement of the workers, calling on the State Government to initiate proper negotiation and dialogue with Union leaders before the implementation of PITA.