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BY: NewsPeddlers
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has clarified that
it did not invite the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities,
ASUU, for a meeting last Thursday.
Last week, the media was awash with reports quoting the Minister
of Labour, Chris Ngige, is saying that relevant agencies would hold a meeting about
the ongoing university strike the next day, Daily Nigeria reports.
But the ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, during an interview with Channels TV, said his union did not receive any invitation.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Monday, the labour ministry
explained that the meeting the minister was referring to was meant for only
inter-ministerial departments, agencies and committees of the Federal
Government.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Olajide
Oshundun, said that none of the university-based unions, including ASUU, was
invited.
Mr Oshundun added that the meeting in question was called to
assess the progress made so far on addressing the few outstanding demands of
the striking university workers, such as the contentious payment platform and
the renegotiation of their conditions of service.
“These two committees were empanelled by the Honourable Minister
and the Chief of Staff to the President at the last tripartite plus meetings of
the unions and the government side.
“For
the avoidance of doubt, none of the unions was invited to last Thursday’s
meeting and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Dr Chris Ngige,
while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council
(FEC) meeting last Wednesday, June 22, 2022, clarified that the meeting would
hold the next day (Thursday, June 23,2022), for the government side alone.
“As expected, the meeting held and all the stakeholders reported
on the various assignments given to them and accordingly, received further
briefing and directives from the President in order to accelerate discussions
with ASUU.
“It is hoped that before Wednesday this week, all the various
sub-committees will turn in their reports, to enable Mr. President to be
briefed fully and for decisions to be taken on the contentious payment platform
and the renegotiation of the conditions of service, especially the issue of
wage increase.
“It
is after receiving briefings from the government side that the Ministry of
Labour will bring all the stakeholders, including the unions, to a conference
table to look at the agreement before signing or endorsement.” the statement
partly read.
While emphasizing that the claims are verifiable, Mr Oshundun
said the ministry would not allow itself to be bullied by any union into
forcing any payment platform on the government.
Urging the public to disregard insinuations that the ministry of
labour does not sympathize with the students, unions and their parents, adding
that the minister is also affected by the ongoing strike.
SOURCE: DAILY NIGERIA