See what Federal Government is saying concerning ASUU Strike!

Prior to the indefinite strike The Academic Staff Union of Universities
(ASUU) embarked on,  Monday August 14, the Federal Government has however appealed to the
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
to suspend her ongoing strike in the
universities in the interest of the country.

Report shows that, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, issued the appeal in a statement
signed by Mr Samuel Olowookere, Deputy
Director, Press, in the Ministry, yesterday in
Abuja.

ASUU embarked on the indefinite strike due to the Federal Government failure to keep
to the 2009 agreement.

Report from the minister shows there is an ongoing
renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between
the FG and ASUU by the
"Babalakin Committee".
Meanwhile, he made it known that, the Federal Government has set up the
Babalakin Committee on 13 Feb. 2017, which is in turn already addressing the issues raised
by ASUU.

Still speaking, the minister added that, ASUU refused to follow the due procedure in declaring the strike. According to him:

“Though the Federal Government did not wish
to apportion blame, it is important to note that
ASUU did not follow due process in the
declaration of the industrial action.
“As it did not give the Federal Government,
the mandatory 15 days’ notice as contained in
the Section 41 of Trade Disputes Act, Cap T8,
2004.
“In fact, it was on 14th Aug., 2017 that the
Office of the Minister received a letter dated
13th Aug. 2017 from ASUU, that is, one full
day after it commenced the strike".

Speaking further, he said the letter was issued to inform FG that ASUU has
commenced strike, totally different from a
declaration of intention to go on strike as it is in the Trade Dispute Act, 2004.

"The Federal Government therefore wishes to
appeal to ASUU to consider students who are
currently writing degree and promotion
examinations. Please call off the strike and
return to the negotiation table.’’ he added.

However, the minister said, the Ministry of Labour
and Employment would ensure that a time
frame is tied to negotiation this time around as effective tools for a profitable social dialogue has been provided for the Babalakin Committee who are ever ready to continue the negotiation with ASUU.