“Unfortunately, the response of government towards ASUU’s demonstration of trust was the so-called ‘pro-rata’ payment for eighteen days as the October 2022 salaries of academics thereby portraying them as daily paid workers!
The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Tuesday accused the Federal Government of turning lecturers into casual labourers with its decision to pay them their salaries pro-rata.
This was just as the union ruled out a possible resumption of strike saying that it would, even in the face of provocations, seek to pursue the interests of its members within the ambit of the law.
ASUU said the action of the government was “precedented” in the annals of academic history in the country.
This was contained in a statement released and signed by its President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke after the conclusion of the union’s NEC meeting held at the University of Abuja from Monday till the late hours of the night.
Though the statement was silent on whether members resolved to resume strike or not, NPO Reports gathered that members were prevailed upon to accept the continuation of discussions with those the ASUU leadership consider to be “reasonable members of this government.”
ASUU, in a statement released Tuesday, and signed by its president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, following the National Executive Committee, NEC meeting it held Monday, in Abuja, said, “paying academics on “pro-rata” basis, like casual workers, is unprecedented in the history of university oriented labour relations and therefore condemned this attempt to reduce Nigerian scholars to casual workers in its entirety.”
The academic body said it suspended it’s eight-months strike in obedience to the order of the National Industrial Court and intervention efforts of well-meaning Nigerians Including Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila but it’s unfortunate that, the response of government towards ASUU’s demonstration of trust was the so-called ‘pro-rata’ payment for eighteen days as the October 2022 salaries of academics thereby portraying them as daily paid workers!
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) suspended its eight-month strike on 14th October, 2022, in obedience to the order of the National Industrial Court and in further consideration of intervention efforts of well-meaning Nigerians, including the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila,” the statement read
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“The action of the Union was a display of manifest trust in the judiciary and other institutions and organs of government to always put national interest above all other considerations.
“This we believe, as a union of thinkers, intellectuals, and patriots, will not only aid the process of amicable resolution of the crisis, but will also set the tone for smooth industrial relations between Government and Nigerian workers at large.
“Unfortunately, the response of government towards ASUU’s demonstration of trust was the so-called ‘pro-rata’ payment for eighteen days as the October 2022 salaries of academics thereby portraying them as daily paid workers!
“This is not only an aberration, but a contravention of all known rules of engagement in any contract of employment for academics the world over.
“At an emergency meeting of the ASUU’s National Executive Committee (NEC), held on Monday, 7th November, 2022, the Union deliberated on developments since the suspension of the strike.
“NEC noted with dismay that paying academics on “pro-rata” basis, like casual workers, is unprecedented in the history of university oriented labour relations and therefore condemned this attempt to reduce Nigerian scholars to casual workers in its entirety.
The Union,however,ruled out the possibility of embarking on another phase of strike and urged the students,parents and other stakeholders for mutual understanding while the union pursue it’s demands within the ambit of legality.
“NEC commends the membership of ASUU for their perseverance in the face of untold hardship and unwarranted provocation by some notorious agents of the ruling class.
“NEC further appeals for the understanding of Nigerian students, parents and other genuinely concerned individuals and groups while the Union continues to pursue positive resolution of this avoidable crisis within the ambit of legality without compromising the interests and welfare of Nigerian intellectuals.”