The Research and Allied Institutions’ Unions in Nigeria, has threatened to embark on an indefinite industrial action starting from midnight, Wednesday October 13, 2021 should the Federal Government fail to meet its demands.
The unions, comprising 67 Research and Allied Institutions, under the aegis of Joint Research and Allied Institutions Sector Unions (JORAISU), expressed displeasure that Government’s lackadaisical attitude to providing funds for research confirms its believe that those in the helm of Nigeria’s affair “do not believe in the ideology that our country can attain technological development, and the fact that government has further shown it’s only paying lip service to research and technological development.”
In a statement read at a press conference jointly signed by the General Secretary, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Comrade Peters Adeyemi, the Ag. General Secretary, Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), Comrade Ezekiel Popoola and the Secretary General, Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), Comrade Theophilus, JORASIU vowed that it shall tell the whole world how the Nigeria government treats research related issues and institutions in the country with levity.
On its demands for which it has held 33 meetings with government in the recent past that has so far yielded little or no result, JORASIU said; “Our demands are: non-payment of 12 months CONRAISS arrears of 53.37 per cent salary increase for which NTTR Kaduna, NVRI Vom, NCAM Ilorin, ASCON Topo, Badagry had been paid in part leaving others
“Withdrawal of circular on non-skipping of salary Grade Level 10 National Industrial Court of Nigeria judgement in favour of trade unions and others; retirement age of 65 years for non-research staff as is obtainable in the universities and others.
“Peculiar allowances/earned allowances; establishment of a central body to be known as National Research Institutes Commission (NARICOM); adequate funding of research institutes; and release of scheme/conditions of service.”
Furthermore, JORASIU stated; “In view of this foregoing embarrassment from government, the leadership of JORAISU met on September 8, 2021 to consider the long standing agreement it had with government and resolved to serve the Federal Government the first notice of a 15-day ultimatum effective September 13, 2021 to fully implement the 10-year agreement, failing which JORAISU shall be constrained to call out its members on an indefInite strike by midnight September 27, 2021.
“The leadership noticed with dismay that uptil the expiration of this ultimatum, government did not deem it necessary to respond to our correspondence on the dispute. That notwithstanding, JORAISU leadership, being committed to continued dialogue on this matter held another meeting on September 27, 2021 and agreed to extend the initial 15-day ultimatum by another 15 days from Tuesday, September 28, 2021 which will expire midnight Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
“Without doubt, it is evidently clear from the above that our continued efforts to promote industrial peace in the research and allied institutions are not being appreciated by government. However, if by the expiration of this additional 15-day ultimatum, government fails to do the needful, the leadership of JORAISU would not be held liable for the strike action that will commence from the midnight of Tuesday, October 12, 2021.”
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