There are indications of fresh industrial unrest at the federal universities over the N8 billion earned allowance that recently led to the shut-down of universities for months, as the workers have threatened to resume the strike they suspended on March 8, 2018.
They urged the government to expedite action on the release of the fund approved for part payment of Earned Allowances to avoid a fresh unrest.
The affected workers are Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU.
Recall that the Federal Government on March 8, 2018, signed a memorandum of understanding M.O.U it with NAAT, NASU and SSANU on March 8, 2018, through the Joint Action Committee, JAC, unions applicable to Federal Universities. The aggrieved unions through NAAT in a communiqué at the end of its 37th National Executive Council, NEC, meeting, at Obafemi Awolowo University, O.A.U, Ile-Ife, said members were running out of patience, urging the government to urgently implement all elements of the M.O.U it signed with JAC of NAAT, NASU and SSANU on 8th March, 2018.
In the communiqué signed by NAAT President, Sani Suleiman and General Secretary, Chief Iyoyo, Hamilton, the union also called for the prosecution of Prof. Richard Akindele, the OAU professor recently sacked over sex for marks scandal to serve as deterrent to others.
The communiqué reads: “In spite of the worrisome existence of “special centres”, the results of SSCE keep dropping – implying poor quality of secondary school graduates. This may not be unconnected with the poor allocation of financial and human resources to the education sector.
“Indeed, it is a well-known fact that budgetary allocations for education at both federal and state government levels have been well below the UNESCO benchmark recommendation of 26% over the years. This has resulted in deplorable condition of classrooms, laboratories, libraries and other teaching and learning facilities in Nigerian Public Schools. NAAT therefore urges government at all levels to give more resources and attention to the Education sector, including strengthening supervision and evaluation.
The NEC of the union stated that “NAAT is aware that Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC have jointly made a submission of N66,500.00 as new NMW, and that tripartite meetings in this regard are on-going.”
Vanguard
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