“NEC noted with dismay that paying academics on “pro-rata” basis, like casual workers, is unprecedented in the history of university oriented labour relations and therefore condemned this attempt to reduce Nigerian scholars to casual workers in its entirety”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised from its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday in Abuja, condemning the federal government’s attempt to turn the academics into casual workers through ‘pro-rata’ payment of salaries for 18 days.
The union in a press statement by its national president, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke on Tuesday, noted that the University lecturers are intellectuals and not casual workers.
According to Osodeke, the Union suspended its eight-month strike on October 14, 2022 in obedience to the order of the National Industrial Court (NIC) and in further consideration of the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila among other Nigerians.
He however lamented the response of government on ‘pro-rata’ payment for 18-day as the October 2022 salaries of the academics.
“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.
“At an emergency meeting of the ASUU’s National Executive Committee (NEC), held on Monday, 7th November, 2022, the Union deliberated on developments since the suspension of the strike.
“NEC noted with dismay that paying academics on “pro-rata” basis, like casual workers, is unprecedented in the history of university oriented labour relations and therefore condemned this attempt to reduce Nigerian scholars to casual workers in its entirety.
“NEC commends the membership of ASUU for their perseverance in the face of untold hardship and unwarranted provocation by some notorious agents of the ruling class,” the statement reads.
ASUU appealed for the understanding of Nigerian students, parents and other genuinely concerned individuals and groups while the Union continues to pursue positive resolution of this avoidable crisis within the ambit of legality without compromising the interests and welfare of Nigerian intellectuals.
