In the interest of Nigeria, suspend your strike ―FG tells ASUU

THE Federal Government pleaded with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday to suspend their ongoing strike in the interest of the nation, and the students.

But the government insisted that ASUU did not follow due process in the declaration of the industrial action.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige said ASUU should call off the strike because the government was already negotiating the issues in dispute with the Association through Babalakin Committee.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press in the Ministry, Samuel Olowookere, the Minister said there was an on-going renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU by the Committee.

He said the Federal Government set up the Committee on Monday 13th February, 2017, which is already addressing the issues raised by ASUU.

According to the statement, though the Federal Government did not wish to apportion blame, “it is important to note that ASUU did not follow due process in the declaration of the industrial action as it did not give the Federal Government, the mandatory 15 days’ notice as contained in the Section 41 of Trade Disputes Act, Cap T8, 2004.

“In fact, it was on Monday 14th August, 2017 that the Office of the Minister received a letter dated 13th August, 2017 from ASUU, that is, one full day after it commenced the strike.”

It further noted that the letter was to inform the Federal Government that ASUU has started strike and not a declaration of intention to go on strike as contained in the Trade Dispute Act, 2004.

The Minister said that since the case was being conciliated, it was against the spirit of Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for ASUU to embark on strike as enunciated in the ILO Convention.

“The Federal Government therefore wishes to appeal to ASUU to consider students who are currently writing degree and promotion examinations, call off the strike and return to the negotiation table, adding that “the Ministry of Labour and Employment will ensure that a time frame will be tied to negotiation this time around.”

Sen Ngige added that “Babalakin Committee was ever ready to continue the negotiation, indeed, has all the necessary ingredients for fruitful social dialogue as well as adequate powers to negotiate and make recommendations to the Federal Government.”