ASUU strike: Labour mobilises workers for nationwide protest

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has resolved to stage a one-day national protest over the impasse between the Federal Government and various unions within the university system that has grounded academic activities for four months.

At its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday to review its interventionist role, the congress concluded that reports from a meeting of its Central Working Committee (CWC) showed a lack of progress in the negotiations with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, gave this hint while declaring the National Executive Council meeting open in Abuja.

He said all the affiliate unions of the NLC had been directed to mobilise for the planned one-day national protest from next week.

The four-university-based unions have been on strike over alleged failure of the Federal Government to meet their demands.

Wabba said, “The strike in the education sector is an eyesore. For now, running into four months, the children of the poor have remained at home.

“You will recall that the last decision we took was to the extent of writing to Mr. President and we gave a 21-day notice for them to convene a very high powered meeting to be chaired either by the SGF or the Chief of Staff for this issue to be resolved once and for all.

 

“That meeting was called but from the reports we have received yesterday (Wednesday) from all the unions in the education sector, ASUU, NASU, SSANU, NAAT, Collages of Education, polytechnics, we have found out that progress has not been made and the timeline of three weeks that was given by that committee for all reports to be turned in and for the government to be able to make decisions that has not taken place.

“Therefore yesterday (Wednesday), the CWC took note of that and lamented very profusely that we are not going in the right direction especially in terms of quality education.

“Today, there has been an increase in issues of social vices and this can be traced to the fact that those children have been at home for four months and no progress has been made.

“Time lost cannot be regained and whatever can be addressed within a shorter time, why should the government allow the situation to actually prolong, what we can do today? Why do we need to draw it and address it later? “I think there is reluctance in addressing this issue and therefore CWC has decided that there will be a one day national protest to call the attention of the government to resolve the issue immediately after that the next decision of the CWC will take place.

“We have also asked all our affiliates, in the next one week we will issue statements to give credence to that decision.”