Written by Obiosa Oluchukwu Reward.
The Nigeria Labour Congress [NLC] had embarked on a two day protest across the country. Amid the prolong strike by university workers.
While the protest is schedule today for the 36 states in the federation, the federal capital territory [FCT] is to join the demonstration on Wednesday. University workers that makes up various union of the Academic Staff Union of Universities [ASUU], Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities [SSANU], and the Non academic Staff Union of Universities [NASU] had engaged in this demonstration as a result of the prolong strikes due to various reasons.
Universities workers in government universities affiliated with ASUU embarked on a nationwide strike on February 14 over the integrated personnel payroll information system [IPPIS]. A system adopted by the government as the payment system in university sector. They had also complained about the nonpayment of salaries, and poor funding of universities.
Since the strike started, there have been numerous negotiations between Government and the Union which ended with setback, as the government failed to comply with the demands.
NASU and SSANU had also lain their complain. Both Unions rejected the report by the head of the renegotiation committee, Professor Nimi Briggs. Saying the negotiation is inconclusive.
In reaction to all complains, the NLC had fault the Federal Government over its slow ability in handling the issues affecting the institution. It also called on the Government to pay the salaries of the workers, the labour body asked the government to see to the end of the ongoing negotiation and be prepare to implement the new collective bargaining agreement put forward, so that Government Universities can resume their activities. The labour union had also asked trade unions in various sectors to act in line with the union.
