In the event that their unpaid salaries are not received within three weeks, the Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions intends to go on an indefinite strike.
The unions are demanding, among other things, the payment of four months’ withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
The “No Work, No Pay” policy was implemented by the Federal Government, via the Ministry of Labour and Employment, in response to the four unions based at universities going on an extended strike in 2022.
The unions noted that the Federal Government was given a 10-day grace period, which expired on July 26, 2024, to pay the four months of unpaid salaries to university staff. If payment was not made, they threatened to close universities and inter-university centers. The statement was jointly signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU, and SSANU President, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim.
But six weeks after the grace period ended, the government still has not done this.
“Given the foregoing context, we hereby notify the government of the decision made by the National JAC of NASU and SSANU during their meeting on September 12, 2024: the government has been given a final three-week ultimatum starting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, to settle the outstanding salaries of the last four months and carry out the agreement that was reached on August 20, 2022. Failing this, our members may be forced to embark on indefinite strike action at the expiration of the ultimatum,” Ibrahim said.
The statement added that, during the National Minimum Wage meeting, President Bola Tinubu had approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries on 18th July 2024, following discussions with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
“We have it on good authority that Mr President approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries as far back as 18th July 2024 at the National Minimum Wage meeting with the NLC and TUC leadership.
“Recently, we also heard that Mr President has approved the actual release of the payment. Unfortunately, nothing has come of these approvals,” the statement continued.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
