ERC faults FUTA’s closure, union leaders suspension
Sodiq Oyeleke
The Education Rights Campaign has faulted the closure of
the Federal University of Technology, Akure and suspension of leaders of the
Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff
Union, Mr. Messers Chukwuma and Mr. Makinde Faola.
The group in a
statement by its National Coordinator, Mr. Hassan Soweto in Lagos decried that continous
closure of the University is affecting educational activities in the
university.
He said, “This is the second time in three months that
the authorities of FUTA have closed the campus, and it is as a result of the
crisis caused by management’s refusal to pay members of staff their legitimate
hazard allowance.
“The Education Rights Campaign condemns the closure of
the University. We also strongly condemn the suspension of Messers Ben Chukwuma
and Makinde Faola respectively of SSANU and NASU and other six union leaders
similarly placed on indefinite suspension. We demand their immediate recall and
as well as reopening of the University.”
He explained that the two unions – SSANU and NASU -
were demanding payment of ‘hazard allowance’ to members, adding that workers
should not be forced to work out of their will.
“According to the workers it was the fact that the
University authorities reneged on earlier promises to pay that forced workers
to down tools and protest.
“The closure of the campus and the suspension of the
union leaders are undemocratic and outrageous. Report has it that the
University authorities are also threatening to discipline other members of
staff who refuse to work. This strong-arm tactics is meant to force workers to
accept a situation where they work without full payment of their benefits
including hazards.”
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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