Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has urged Federal and some state governments to pay its members their outstanding minimum wage arrears as stated in the Memorandum of Action (MoA).
This was disclosed in a statement by Mr ASUP’s National Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi Yelwa, on Sunday in Bauchi.
According to Yelwa, the decisions were reached during the 101st Regular ASUP National Executive Council meeting held at the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State.
The statement read in part: “ASUP equally expressed dismay at recent reports of infractions in the process of appointment of Principal Officers in Federal Polytechnics and some state-owned polytechnics in disregard to the provisions in the extant laws.
“The union particularly noted the events at the Federal Polytechnics, Ekowe, Offa and Mubi, where the process of appointments of Rectors were flawed, leading to the shortlisting of unqualified persons.
“The union notes that the council affairs in Federal Polytechnics, Oko, Offa, Auchi and Kaura Namoda has been relocated to the FCT without due consideration to the cost implication on the institutions, the safety of staff and sensitive documents as well as general administration of the affected institutions.”
However, Yelwa, noted that members of the public should hold the government responsible in the event of breakdown of industrial harmony, adding that the union and its members had shown considerable patience and restraint.
“In view of the unsatisfactory status of implementation of the MoA signed between the union and government in April 2021.
“The union once again demands that the government should without further delay ensure the release of the arrears of the Minimum Wage to staff and release the approved Revitalisation Fund for the sector.
“Government should set up the implementation committee to administer the fund, recommence the renegotiation of the union’s 2010 agreement and withdraw institutional accreditation to state-owned institutions where staff are owed salaries.
“The union equally urged the government to revisit the appointment processes for principal officers in Federal Polytechnics, Ekowe, Offa and Mubi, to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act,” it said.
Yelwa also noted that the union will deepen its consultations on the next action as there will be no further warnings if the government failed to meet its demands.