University workers, represented by the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), have rejected a precondition established by the federal government concerning the release of withheld salaries for its members.
QUEST TIMES President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently granted a partial waiver, allowing tertiary institution staff to receive four out of the eight months’ salaries that had been withheld by the government under the “No Work, No Pay” policy.
The government clarified that this waiver was granted in line with the principles of presidential prerogative of mercy. However, it was contingent on the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour and Employment jointly developing a Document of Understanding (DoU) before releasing the withheld salaries.
In response to this condition, NAAT’s president, Ibeji Nwokoma, expressed the union’s strong objection. NAAT views the federal government’s requirement as overly strict and believes it infringes upon workers’ fundamental human rights, particularly their right to freedom of expression and association, as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.
In the statement, NAAT added: ” It is important to make this press release in view of the recent statement credited to Mr Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the effect that the President has granted a partial waiver to the staff of tertiary institutions based on the principles of the presidential prerogative of mercy, subject to Federal Ministry of Education and that of Labour and Employment developing a document of Understanding (DoU) before payment of the withheld salaries can be affected, as widely reported by both electronic and print media.
“The attention of the leadership of our great Union, the NAAT has been drawn to this development which we consider as a matter of great concern and worrisome.
“While we want to commend the President for his magnanimity in granting the partial waiver, we view the condition of DoU as draconian and undermines our fundamental human right to freedom of expression and association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“Hence, NAAT rejects in its entirety the idea of DoU as a pre-condition for payment of the withheld salaries of our members”.
NAAT urged Tinubu to rescind on his decision and approve unconditional payment of the withheld salaries immediately.
“It must be noted that the work loss as a result of the strike action has since been covered through extra work hours and students graduated, currently undertaking their mandatory National Youth Service programme as a result, nothing has been lost
“NAAT wishes to call on well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and ensure payment of our withheld salaries in full for a sustainable industrial harmony,” he said.