By Aderemi Bamgbose
The labour unions of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa in Ondo State on Thursday embarked on a peaceful protest on what they described as Federal Government neglect
The unions are: Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the union members in their large numbers sang solidarity songs condemning the neglect by the government.
The members also carried placards with inscriptions like: “Enough is Enough, Pay Our Withheld Salaries”, “25/35 Salary Arrears Are Our Right” among others.
Mr Bobola Bamigbola, Chairman, Joint Action Congress (JAC), OAUSTECH chapter, while addressiing the protesters, said that the protest was as a result of directives from it’s national headquarters of the unions.
He alleged that the Federal Government had continued to neglect the unions by withholding it’s salary arrears, while the unions must stand up for it’s rights.
“The peaceful protest is in line with directives from our national headquarters to send a message to the Federal Government to do the needful.
“It’s our right to press home our demands and until our demands are met, we will not rest,” Bamigbola said.
Mr Olarenwaju Orisamika, Chairman, SSANU, OAUSTECH Chapter, also said that the manner which the Federal Government treated their demands was worrisome.
He also lamented the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, withheld salaries, and arrears of salaries, among other pressing concerns.
Orisamika added that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had promised an era of uninterrupted academic activities in tertiary institutions.
According to him, the recent handling of issues affecting non-teaching staff tells a different story..
“We condemn, in the strongest terms, the Federal Government’s lackadaisical approach to addressing our legitimate demands.
“We insist that immediate action be taken to address our requests, lest the situation escalates and forces the closure of tertiary institutions.
“We will not stand idly while the welfare of our members is sacrificed on the altar of bureaucratic red tape and governmental indifference,” Orisamika said.
He, however, appealed to the Federal Government to demonstrate its commitment to the well-being of members.
The chairman warned that failure to act promptly would have dire consequences, including the possible shutdown of institutions.
In a circular released by the national JAC of SSANU and NASU, which was obtained by NAN, it’s agitations include unjustified disbursement of N50 billion Earned Allowances.
Others are delay in renegotiation of 2009 agreement between Federal Government and SSANU/NASU; non-payment of two months outstanding salaries; non-payment of 25 percent and 30 percent salaries.
The non-payment of third party deductions of the two months salaries (May/June 2022) was also included among others. (NAN)