The federal
government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to
suspend its ongoing strike in the universities in the interest of the nation.
Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour
and Employment, made the appeal in a statement signed by Samuel Olowookere,
Deputy Director, Press, in the Ministry, on Tuesday in Abuja.
ASUU had on Monday declared an
indefinite strike over Federal Government failure to keep to the 2009
agreement.
According to Mr. Ngige, there is
an ongoing renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government
and ASUU by the Babalakin Committee.
“The federal government has set up
the Babalakin Committee on 13th Feb. 2017, which is already addressing the
issues raised by ASUU.
“Though the federal government did
not wish to apportion blame, it is important to note that ASUU did not follow
due process in the declaration of the industrial action.
“As it did not give the federal
government the mandatory 15 days’ notice as contained in the Section 41 of
Trade Disputes Act, Cap T8, 2004.
“In fact, it was on 14th August,
2017 that the Office of the Minister received a letter dated 13th August 2017
from ASUU, that is, one full day after it commenced the strike,” he said.
He,
however, noted that the letter was to inform the federal government that ASUU
has commenced strike, adding that this is not a declaration of intention to go
on strike as contained in the Trade Dispute Act, 2004.
He further said that since the
case was being conciliated, it was against the spirit of Social Dialogue and
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for ASUU to embark on strike as
enunciated in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.
“The federal government therefore
wishes to appeal to ASUU to consider students who are currently writing degree
and promotion examinations. Please call off the strike and return to the
negotiation table.’’
The minister added that the
Ministry of Labour and Employment would ensure that a time frame is tied to
negotiation this time around.
Mr. Ngige added that the Babalakin
Committee was ever ready to continue the negotiation.
He also noted that the necessary
ingredients for fruitful social dialogue as well as adequate powers to
negotiate and make recommendations to the federal government had been put in
place.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Contact Us
Email: publisher@absolutehearts.com
Phone/whatsapp: +2348027922363