Nigeria Union of Teachers has abhorred the non-payment of the basic salary by some state governments since the National Minimum Wage Act was signed into law in 2018.
The union warned that members nationwide would be directed to withdraw their services if the issues are not urgently addressed.
In remarks to mark the 2021 World Teachers’ Day, the union National President, Dr. Nasir Idris, emphasized that following the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers needed to be adequately empowered for effectiveness.
“The NUT observes with dismay that some state governments are yet to implement the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act for teachers since it was signed into law in 2018. We herewith call on the erring ones to implement the law without further delay. May we remind them that every worker is worthy of his/her wage, especially now that our take-home pay can hardly take us home,” he said.
However, the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter urged the state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to fill the ‘35,000 vacancies’ in the state.
According to the demand of the Chairman, Comrade Kazeem Alabi Labaika, during the observance of the global event.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has been called upon to improve security in schools. It has also been urged to ensure prompt payment of teachers’ retirement entitlements.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, at the end of a roundtable on COVID-19 and education recovery in Lagos State, organised by Human Development Initiatives and Actionaid Nigeria with support from Norad, the participants observed that while the running cost of school principals had been increased, that of headteachers, they claimed, remain at N20,000 monthly, urging immediate review.
This is as the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools sought high-quality professional development opportunities for tutors.