BIG STORY
Half Salary: ASUU Replies FG, Says ‘We Are Scholars NOT Casual Workers’ [PHOTO]
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has criticized the federal government over the payment of half of the salaries to lecturers for the month of October.
It was earlier reported that the lecturers were paid “half” of one month’s salary.
The federal government had justified its action, explaining that the lecturers were paid based on the number of days they worked in the stated month.
But responding on Tuesday, Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU president, said its members are not casual workers and should not be treated as such.
Osodeke described the action of the government as “an aberration” and a contravention of their rules of engagement.
He said the union’s national executive committee (NEC) “noted with dismay that paying academics on ‘pro-rata’ basis, like casual workers, is unprecedented in the history of university-oriented labor relations and therefore condemned this attempt to reduce Nigerian scholars to casual workers in its entirety.”
“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,” he said in a statement.
“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.
Osodeke commended the lecturers for their “perseverance” and urged students and their parents to be understanding while ASUU pursue a resolution within the ambit of the law.
He said at an emergency meeting of the ASUU’s NEC which held on Monday, the union deliberated on developments since the suspension of the strike.
-
BIG STORY3 days agoNational Assembly Passes Life Imprisonment Bill For Nigerian Drug Traffickers
-
BIG STORY2 days agoDiscos May Move Three Million Subscribers To Estimated Billing Over Failure To Upgrade Prepaid Meters
-
BIG STORY5 days agoFG Pushes For Simon Ekpa’s Extradition As IPOB Disowns Biafra Agitator
-
BIG STORY2 days agoDonors Supporting Simon Ekpa Guilty Of Terrorism — Lawyers
-
BIG STORY4 days ago
UPDATE: We’re Ready To Provide Evidence For Trial Of Simon Ekpa — Enugu Government
-
BIG STORY2 days agoBritish Court Orders David Hundeyin To Pay N200million As Damages To BBC Journalist For Libel
-
BIG STORY4 days agoMuch Ado About Meddlesome Minions, And Messengers Of Misinformation — By Tayo Williams
-
BIG STORY4 days agoPOLITICS: Rest 31-Year Presidential Ambition — Bode George Tells Atiku Abubakar