LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have expressed disappointment over the failure of the Federal Government to address the issue of outstanding salaries owed their members.
In a statement jointly signed by SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, the workers asked the government to pay the withheld salaries like their academic counterparts who were paid four months out of the months owed.
These salaries were withheld during the 2022 strike under the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari.
Recall, the union had written an open letter to the chief of staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the exclusion of the non teaching staff from payment of outstanding salaries
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In the statement, JAC highlighted that despite sending protest letters to the Chief of Staff to the President and the Honourable Minister of Education on 13th February 2024, no action has been taken by the government to resolve the matter.
They expressed concern over the government’s silence on the matter, stating that it seems the government is taking their maturity for granted.
The JAC reiterated their commitment to maintaining industrial peace and tranquillity but emphasized that the pressure on them has intensified.
While acknowledging the government’s payment of salaries to academic staff, the JAC emphasized the necessity of also compensating non-teaching staff.
They warned that failure to address the issue within the next seven days may result in disruptions to the administration and corporate governance in the university sector.
Urging the Federal Government to act swiftly to avoid further escalation of the situation they said if no positive response is received within the stipulated time frame, members of the two unions may be compelled to take lawful and stringent measures to address the issue.