Poly workers to FG, states: Honour our agreement to avoid strikes in 2022

Polytechnic workers have advised the Federal and State governments to avoid needless industrial actions from workers next year by implementing all the agreements it reached with the different labour unions.

The workers also charged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to wake up to its responsibilities and tame the recent upsurge in violent attacks perpetrated by bandits, secession agitators and other non-state actors in the country.

The polytechnic workers under the aegis of Senior Staff Association Of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) gave these charges in Abuja during their 66th quarterly National Executive Council meeting.

Reading the communiqué jointly signed by SSANIP National Secretary, Com. Hussaini Gwandu at the end of the NEC meeting, the President, Com. Adebanjo Ogunsipe, specifically berated state governments on the way state polytechnics are being managed.

Part of the communique reads: ”Council reiterated its displeasure at the continued non-implementation of the enacted National Minimum Wage Law by some State Governments. It, therefore, appears to concerned states to ensure that the needful is done in good time to avoid needless industrial conflict.

”In the same vein, Council frowns at the politics around the payment of the minimum wage arrears by the Federal Government. It, therefore, warns that the continued show of insincerity on the part of the government to pay these arrears would only culminate in a needless and avoidable industrial face-off.‘’In this wise, Council implores the relevant tiers of governments to endeavor to do the needful on these issues, in the interest of industrial peace.”

The union raised concerns over the retinue of challenges of State Polytechnics which it said ranged from incomplete and non-payment of members’ salaries, non-remittance of deducted monthly check off dues and other deductions, huge infrastructural deficits among others.