The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), has used the occasion of 2023 Workers’ Day to charge the Federal government on embracing industrial harmony by implementing agreements reached with unions and also desist from actions inimical to industrial peace.
Contained in a message to commemorate Workers’ Day with SSANU members across the country and Nigerian at large, the statement authored by the National President of the Association, Comrade Mohammed H. Ibrahim, lists topmost issues that may lead to strike action. They are: government refusal to pay withheld 4 mouths salaries, re-negotiation of the 2009 Agreement, disparity in the payment of 40% pay rise, non payment of the N50 billion Earned Allowances.
The message in full reads; “International Workers’ Day is always the high point of the recognition of the role of the workers in building and sustaining the social and economic systems of the world.
“Despite a hostile environment in which we operate, we remain undeterred in our quest to contribute to the building of a great country. Our members have continued to report for duty in the most security challenging parts of Nigeria. It’s a pity that the federal government has remained adamant in the payment of withheld four months salaries during the nationwide strike in 2022.
“SSANU complied with all industrial legal protocol before embarking on strike when government reneged on its part of the bargain. We have made every efforts for government to see reason why we should be paid our rightful due all to no avail. We are once again calling on the government to urgently pay the withheld salaries without further delay. The insensitivity of government to the plight of workers is provocative and unbearable.
“Since we suspended the strike last year, the issue of re-negotiation of the 2009 Agreement has not yielded any result. It appears the federal government does not like the industrial harmony in the universities. We are calling on government to without any delay ensure that the renegotiation is urgently concluded and implemented.
“On the 40 per cent pay rise, it is unfathomable that why some workers have started receiving their payment, our members are yet to receive theirs. We call on government to ensure that our members receive their own payment as soon as possible if not, we can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the universities.
“We should also place it on record that the N50 billion Earned Allowances which the government promised last year is yet to be paid. We are using this opportunity to tell the government to release is as quickly as possible as further delay will not be helpful to the system.
“The morale of University workers is dampened by the inability of government to create a conducive environment in the university system, our members work under harsh condition, yet they put in their best to ensure that our students don’t suffer. Government appears to be paying lip service to funding education.
“It is very clear that government pays more attention to frivolous things and has neglected the workers that generate the wealth of the nation and mould the future of the young generation.
We call on government to resolve all issues with university workers and also tackle the challenges facing the country.
“SSANU leadership under my watch is committed and determined to to address your problems by ensuring that you get your rightful due from your employers. We will not relent in doing that. I once again congratulate you all as we celebrate this year’s May Day.”
