Abigail Erhiagboje
Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has directed its state councils and branches to mobilise members in tertiary institutions across Nigeria to embark on an indefinite strike beginning from October 3, 2023.
This was contained in a circular dated 28 September 2023, and signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, which was addressed to all state secretaries and branches.
It said the aim is to join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other labour unions in the country in the industrial action following the failure of the Federal Government to respond to demands of labour to address the challenges citizens have been grappling with since the removal of subsidies on petrol.
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According to the circular “This is to draw the attention of NASU State Councils and the branches to the joint resolution of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) directing affiliates and their membership to commence an indefinite strike action from Tuesday, 3rd October 2023 in respect of the nonchalant attitude of the Federal Government in responding positively to the demands of Labour which centred around the need to provide appropriate relief for the pains inflicted on Nigeria workers by the removal of the fuel subsidy as well as the harmonization of the foreign exchange market which has no doubt brought untold hardship on the workers and the populac.”
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Recall that leaders of NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC ) had on Tuesday, announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike beginning on Tuesday, October 3, over the government’s failure to respond to their demands.
The organised labour had observed a two-day warning strike on September 5 and 6 and gave a 21-day ultimatum which expired last week. The labour unions had also staged a protest earlier in August with respect to their ten demands from the government, among which are, fixing of refineries, renegotiation of new minimum wage, payment of salary arrears for university lecturers, wage awards for federal civil servants, and immediate reversal of the current pump price of petrol among others.
Following the announcement of plans to organise the nationwide indefinite strike, by organised labour, the Federal Government has reportedly been making efforts to prevent it, but all to no avail.
The labour unions said they are not ready for any further negotiations with the government unless their demands are met.
They have also advised Nigerians to prepare for the strike by getting basic things they need such as food items among others, as there was no going back on the proposed strike until their demands are fully met by the government.
