The Federal Government has been called upon to expedite action on the implementation of a new minimum wage for workers in the country.
Comrade Kazeem Adedeji Suarau, Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigeria University (SSANU), Federal University Lokoja branch, made the call on Saturday.
He spoke shortly after being conferred with an award and commendation letters by the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation (CESVO) .
The Chairman said the current economic challenges facing the nation have exacerbated the suffering of the masses, making the implementation of a new minimum wage imperative.
According to Suarau, the current delay in the implementation of the minimum wage has significantly impacted the livelihoods of millions of hardworking Nigerians who struggle daily to make ends meet.
“As prices of essential goods and services continue to rise, the purchasing power of ordinary citizens has dwindled, further deepening poverty and inequality across the country.
“It is crucial to recognize that an adequate minimum wage is not just a matter of economic policy but a fundamental human rights issue.
“It directly impacts the well-being and dignity of workers and their families, ensuring they can afford basic necessities and live decent lives.
“Therefore, I urge the government to prioritize and expedite the process of implementing a revised minimum wage that reflects current economic realities.
“This action will not only alleviate the suffering of the masses but also stimulate economic growth by boosting consumer spending and overall productivity.
“I hereby call upon the government to demonstrate its commitment to social justice and economic empowerment by taking immediate steps towards implementing a fair and sustainable minimum wage policy,” he said.
Suarau also announced that SSANU members will join their non – academic colleagues nationwide to stage a protest on July 9 over the refusal of government to pay their withheld four months salary.
“We are compelled to announce that protests will be held on all university campuses next Tuesday, 9th July 2024.
“Additionally, a mega protest is scheduled in Abuja on 18th July 2024, targeting the offices of the Ministers of Education and Labour, and the Accountant General’s Office.
These protests are necessary steps to highlight our grievances and demand immediate payment of the withheld salaries.
“A full-blown strike will follow if the Federal Government refuses to pay the salaries,” he explained
He traced the withholding of the salaries to “no work, no pay” policy invoked by the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration during the 2022 nationwide strike by university staff.
He, however, said despite the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval to release the four months’ salaries and assurances to promptly pay the withheld salaries; SSANU/NASU members have not been paid till now.
“In contrast, our sister Union received payments for four months of their withheld salaries in March 2024, while JAC members across all universities are still awaiting theirs.
“The unequal treatment of unions in the university system is a clear injustice.
“Where there is unfair treatment in a system, there can be no peace.
“Our National Executive has engaged in multiple discussions with the Honourable Ministers of Education and Labour, as well as with the Senate and House of Representatives Education Committees, to address this pressing issue.
“Regrettably, despite these engagements and assurances, there has been no tangible progress in fulfilling the government’s commitment to remunerate non-teaching members.
“Furthermore, the National President of SSANU has expressed deep concern over the lack of proactive action from the Minister of Labour, who has not fulfilled his obligations in this matter, ” the Chairman stated.
The SSANU Chairman further expressed dismay over the payment of wage awards of 25%/35% to
university which he said are in arrears of three months.
He urged the Federal Government to pay the arrears to mitigate the effects of the current economic hardships.
According to him, promotion arrears have also become a significant issue affecting staff welfare in universities.
“At Federal University Lokoja, promotion arrears have accumulated from 2018 to 2023.
“Some staff promoted in 2018 still have balances of promotion arrears yet to be paid, while minimal arrears were paid to those promoted in 2019 and 2020.
“The arrears for promotions in 2021 have not been paid at all, accumulating over twelve months and promotions for years 2022 and 2023 are yet to be captured.
“The cumulative impacts of these delays are very severe,” he explained.
While blaming the problem of promotion arrears on the use of a Zero-Based Budget for Personnel, he urged the Federal Government to consider a Modified Zero-Based Budget for Personnel that allows for advanced planning of staff promotions and clear all promotion arrears from 2018 to date.
He thanked the the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation (CESVO) for finding him and executive members of SSANU , FUL branch worthy of the award and commendation letters.
Earlier while conferring the award on Suarau, the Executive Director Center for Ethics and Self Value Orientation (CESVO), Prince Salihu Musa Yakubu said the Center was determined and resolute in its fight against corruption and promotion of transparency and accountability in the country.
He said the award and commendation letters were in recognition of SSANU FUL leadership quality and commended the dexterity at which the union’s affairs is being piloted for the betterment of the members.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
