…Demand include minimum wage arrears, hazard allowance
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has announced plans to embark on a nationwide protest beginning 6 August over the non-payment of three and a half months’ withheld salaries and what it described as blatant injustice in the recent sharing of N50 billion in earned allowances disbursed by the Federal Government.
The union warned that its members across the country would take to the streets unless urgent steps are taken to address their grievances, which include the implementation of the consequential minimum wage adjustment and other outstanding welfare demands.
NAAT President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, expressed dismay over the government’s sharing formula for the allowance, alleging that 80 per cent was allocated to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), while the remaining 20 per cent was left for the three non-teaching unions: NAAT, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
Nwokoma, in a statement issued after NAAT’s 59th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at Yobe State University, Damaturu, condemned what he described as the Federal Government’s indifferent approach to resolving the union’s demands, despite a 21-day ultimatum issued in June which expired on 4 July without a response.
He said the union had exhausted all peaceful avenues and would now commence mass mobilisation for protests across university campuses. According to the union’s protest schedule, demonstrations will take place on 6 August, followed by a second on 13 August, with a national rally to be held in Abuja on 20 August.
Nwokoma criticised the Federal Government for showing “total disregard” for the critical contributions of academic technologists in the university system.
He outlined a list of long-standing demands, including the mainstreaming of field trip and call duty allowances, payment of seven months’ arrears of occupational hazard allowance, completion of renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT agreement, and the release of third-party deductions for the previously withheld salaries.
The union is also demanding the immediate recognition of NEC-approved branch executives at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as well as payment of N30,000 minimum wage arrears to omitted NAAT members.
While reaffirming its preference for dialogue, NAAT called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, the National Assembly, and other stakeholders to intervene and press the government to act swiftly to prevent disruptions in the university academic calendar.
“NAAT remains committed to dialogue and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders to resolve our grievances and to improve the welfare of our members,” the statement said.
