Non-teaching staff members of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo, Ondo State, expressed their dismay on Wednesday as they protested against the non-payment of their salaries for the past 11 months. Organised under the umbrella of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), the employees took to the institution’s premises to voice their grievances.
Chanting solidarity songs and marching towards the Administrative Block, the protesting workers sought to draw attention to the dire financial situation they were facing due to the prolonged delay in salary payments.
Speaking to reporters after the demonstration, Nafiu Okoro, Chairman of SSANIP, placed the blame for the institution’s infrastructure decay on the Governing Council. Okoro noted the severe plight of the workers, stating that despite their dedication, they were suffering due to the insensitivity of the management towards their demands for timely salary disbursements and other benefits.
“The workers are currently faced with a situation of hunger despite their active service, which is unacceptable. We have experienced irregular payment for over eight years,” Okoro stated.
He further warned that the unions would embark on an indefinite strike from January 2, 2024, if their pending salary arrears were not promptly addressed. Okoro appealed to the State Government to include the polytechnic workers in the recently approved N35,000 wage increment awarded to state workers.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the leadership of the Governing Council led by Dr. Olubunmi Omoniyi, Okoro highlighted the distressing impact of the salary crisis on the workers and their families. He urged the government to urgently release funds to offset the salary arrears and empathise with the workers’ financial predicament.
Addressing the protest, Samuel Ojo, the Public Relations Officer of the polytechnic, acknowledged the rights of the unions to stage protests to voice their concerns. He urged for dialogue and negotiation between the management and the unions to seek an amicable resolution.
NAN
