By Michael Oche
Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has said it is in support of the ongoing protest by its affiliate unions, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational (NASU) and associated institutions of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
In a statement signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero on Monday said there had been no credible reason or explanation for withholding those salaries in the first place.
The Congress therefore demanded an “immediate” payment of the withheld salaries of the aggrieved workers.
“We join our affiliate unions, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational (NASU) and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) in demanding the immediate payment of the withheld salaries of their members,” the statement read in part.
Ajaero said the withheld salaries had plunged the members into indescribable hardship.
“Much worse, it defies logic to try to subject members of these unions to discriminatory treatment. By doing so, the government is courting avoidable industrial disputes.
“At a time confidence is being restored to the public universities the least the government could do is not engineer another strike.
“The toll on all the parties will be unacceptably high, especially for students and parents who bear the burden of movement on our dangerous roads,” the statement read in part.
The NLC urged the government to expeditiously pay up the outstanding salaries, advising not to take for granted the maturity of the unions.
Nigerian Pilot reports that the unions on Monday commenced a 7-day warning strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
