Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Kamorudeen Ogunlana, Esq., has tasked members of the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum, NASSLAF, to be committed to payment of union dues for optimal benefits.
He gave the charge when members of the executive committee of the body paid him a courtesy call in his office.
Ogunlana said that payment of dues, as expected from them as legislative aides, would be more beneficial to them.
He urged them to be more involved in charting ways and means that would better their lots.
“You should be more proactive by putting in place a contributory scheme, where funds can be drawn to run your programmes and sustain such programmes.
“The days of management footing the bills of legislative aides forum are over. Collaborative effort is required now more than ever, and doing this will help to mitigate some unforeseen financial challenges the body and its members may face,” he said.
He stated: “Why can’t the body make NASS medical Centre a partner in its medical scheme? The legislative aides are huge in number, and that’ll be a great opportunity for you to harness your number by partnering the National Assembly Medical Centre under construction.”
The Executive Committee members of NASSLAF, while presenting their demands, outlined some challenges and expectations.
Chairman of the body, Emeka Nwala, had said they needed action on the implementation of minimum wage, re-introduction of DTAs, payment of 35,000 wage award, request for buses, payment of 28 days, Prompt payment of salary, unpaid training allowance to some aides, request for office for the body, health insurance scheme, inclusion of members for international trainings and inclusion of the body in welfare packages.
The CNA, in a swift riposte to their requests, noted that they were doable.
He, however, noted that it’s something that would be looked at properly because of the financial commitment and implications involved.
According to him: “Getting you buses won’t be a bad idea, but, you don’t expect management to fuel and maintain it for you; this is why I keep emphasising on the need for financial participation through payment of dues as will be agreed by the body.”
He also advised them to think out of the box by making themselves a strong and formidable body with different name that would stand the test of time in democratic and legislative activities.
He enjoined them to see themselves as partners in the evolution of democratic and legislative process that the country is practising.
“Your knowledge and experience in the legislature should be utilized to better the country everywhere you find yourselves. You must be good ambassadors of the national assembly,” he stated.
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