By Orowo Victoria Ojieh
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the federal government to address issues that necessitated the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions in tertiary institutions stating that the continuity of the strike is not acceptable.
Ayuba Wabba, President of NLC, disclosed this in a press briefing with the Congress’ Central Working Committee (CWC) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Labour Minister, Sen. Chris Ngige recently claimed the union is making things difficult for both parties, as the strike which commenced on February 14 continues, The Trumpet gathered.
Wabba said the call was essential in the interest of the Nigerian students whose education has been interrupted and who have been at home for months.
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“In Nigeria today, we are facing a period of great injustice on the downtrodden of the society, the worse of it is that for more than three months, the children of the poor are actually at home and this is not acceptable.
“But instead of the politicians looking at the issues as a national disaster, they are discussing politics which is why there can never be equity and justice in such a system.
“As you are aware, we have communicated what we think would be able to resolve the issue with government.
“Till date, we are yet to receive any formal information of any effort being made by them to look at that recommendation, we made to them,” NLC said.
In the upcoming elections, the NLC called on union leaders to defend their democracy and the rights of the working class, stating that “It is not a time to watch, because it is the political decision that will put food on your table, so, therefore, sitting down and wait or watch certainly will not be our portion.
“Every Nigerian worker must be active to use our ‘charter of demand’ to engage the politicians.
“We must try also to make sure that the agenda of the working class, the poor and the downtrodden finds space to be accommodated even in the political process.”
Wabba further said that the CWC meeting would look at the next step to take if the government fails to respond to its recommendation on resolving the ongoing strike by unions in the tertiary institutions.
