EditorFOLLOWING the release of N22.127 billion approved as payment of Earned Allowances to the four universities’ based unions, Chairman, Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, Federal University of Technology, Minna, (FUTMinna) chapter, Comrade Abubakar Aliyu has called on the Federal Government to reverse the sharing formula of 75 percent to academic staff and 25 percent to non-teaching staff of the institution
Aliyu made this known in a press statement issued on Friday, November 12, 2021, during JAC Congress held at the CPES Hall, Bosso Campus, Minna, Niger State.
Nationally, the JAC, comprises the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), and Associated Institutions.
The Chairman frowned at what the unions considered as injustice and unfair treatment meted out on the non-academic staff by the Federal Government in the proposed sharing formula, adding that the development would further cause rancor among the different unions in the University.
“The sharing formula for the earned allowance is illogical, lopsided, and unfair to the other three unions. The right thing should be done to save the university system from sinking,” he stated.
The JAC Chairman stated that both academic and non-academic staff worked for the Federal Government and the payment of staff entitled allowances should be part of their salaries and not through Unions.
He further advised the government to assert its authority as an employer of labour in the Universities and should not relinquish its responsibility to any Union.
“The Federal Government should pay all staff entitlements since they have all the records at their disposal at the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) office and directive should be given to the Accountant General of the Federation to effect all payments to university workers directly.”
On the delay in payment of the consequential national minimum wage arrears to university staff, the JAC Chairman equally appealed to the Federal Government to do the right thing by ensuring that the arrears are paid without further delay.
He expressed displeasure that the government has reneged on its promise to pay the New National Minimum Wage arrears to University workers in October 2021, adding that this has further shown that it cannot be trusted when it comes to the fulfillment of signed agreements.
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The Chairman called on the Visitor, Chancellors, Pro-Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, Bursar, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to work towards the survival of the university system in Nigeria by ensuring that the needful is done.
Equally important, the JAC Chair submitted a protest letter to the University Management to further press home the demands of the unions.
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Meanwhile, a proposed peaceful protest as directed by the national bodies could not hold in FUT, Minna based on the present security challenges being faced in the state. However, a prayer session was held during the congress.
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