By Oluwatosin Maliki
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter of Taraba State University is threatening to embark on an indefinite strike action if their demands are not met, this is as a result of 6 months of unpaid salaries and other benefits.
This was disclosed after a congress meeting was held on Thursday, the union called on the state government to take this matter urgent and implement concrete steps to address their demands and ensure the sustainable development and stability of the academic institution or risk an indefinite strike action.
While, briefing journalists, Mbave Garba, Chairman of the union, revealed that some of their demands include; Staff pension and gratuity, Salary crisis, non-implementation of Law No.4 of the Taraba State House of Assembly on funding, non-payment of their earned academic allowances and non-implementation of the Memorandum of Action.
He stated, ”ASUU-TSU Congress raised concerns about the non-implementation of Law No. 4 of the Taraba State House of Assembly, which outlines various funding sources for the university.
Furthermore, ”these funding sources include 5% of the monthly state statutory allocation, 5% of the monthly allocation of local governments in the state, 2.5% of contracts awarded by the state and local governments, 2% as state education levy from charges on guests in hotels in the state, and other sources as determined by the university council.”
ALSO READ: Ondo Assembly: We’re Not Witch-Hunting Deputy Governor, but Sanitizing the System
Garba added that as a result of the lack of proper funding, the smooth running of the institution has been impacted negatively.
While emphasizing on salary crisis, he said, “Members expressed deep concern over the inadequate funding of the university, which has led to the delays and irregular and sometimes fractional payment of salaries”.
“In summary, we are owed six full months and seven months fractional salaries, and it may interest you to know that as of today, our members are yet to be paid their salaries for the month of July and August”.
In addition, he expressed his displeasure on the matter, “It is worrisome to mention that our members are going through excruciating economic realities in the wake of the subsidy removal and inflationary forces and the general public may wish to know that besides other issues, this has been a major trigger of strike actions in the state varsity over the years”.
Speaking on the non-implementation of the Memorandum of Action, the union said, ”The agreement signed on 18th March 2021 by the Taraba State government, Taraba State University management and the ASUU-TSU branch is demoralizing”.
“The Union members are owed Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) dating back to 2015 and the government lacks clarity regarding staff pension and gratuity”.
The ASUU chairman said, “There has been no progress on constructing the perimeter fence to enhance the security of the university as agreed upon in the MOA. The outstanding promotion arrears for 2020, 2021, and 2022, including the annual step increment from October 2020 to July 2021 have not been paid to its members,” the ASUU Chairman said.