The federal government yesterday assured the academic community and organised labour of its commitment to fulfilling all agreements made with labour unions.
The minister of education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, while speaking at the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) 3rd Quadrennial National Delegates Conference in Abuja, acknowledged the historic frustrations of unions due to unfulfilled agreements by previous governments.
He assured that President Bola Tinubu, known for his democratic values and decision-making in the country’s interest, remains committed to meeting the obligations the government has made with these unions.
The minister urged the unions to be patient and trust the government’s trajectory, citing efforts to stabilise the economy by eliminating unsustainable subsidies and reforms in critical sectors like education and health.
Addressing the ongoing struggles in the education sector, Alausa promised that the government is working to meet its commitments to workers and students alike.
He called for mutual respect and understanding between the government and labour unions and assured that the payment of outstanding allowances for university workers would be completed.
“The government is here to negotiate in good faith; President Tinubu is a democrat who will work to fulfil the obligations he has entered into.
We can’t build a sustainable future if we’re spending on unsustainable debt,” he stated.
In his keynote address, former president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who spoke on “Respecting Collective Bargaining Agreements and Industrial Peace in a Democracy,” stressed the importance of government accountability in labour agreements.
According to Wabba, the deteriorating socio-economic conditions in Nigeria have impacted workers across the country.
He stressed the need for effective negotiation and adherence to agreements to foster industrial harmony between the unions and the government.
Earlier, SSANU president Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim appealed to the federal government to release the remaining three months’ withheld members’ salaries.
Ibrahim also called for the release of the N50billion earned allowances, 25/35 per cent arrears, and the wage award.
