. . . Throws weight behind striking unions of research institutes

By TINA TIMOTHY

The Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN) has thrown its weight behind striking unions of research institutes across the country.

In a statement on Friday, March 18, 2022, signed by its Secretary, Dammy Owot, the group described as ridiculous, federal government’s inability to implement the agreement it reached with the unions since 2010.

The group insisted the only continuous rallies, as well as the working class seeking political power would force the hands of federal government to act positiviely over the concerns of the unions and their members.

The statement partly reads: “Workers and Youth Solidarity Network extend solidarity support for the staff unions in the research institutes across Nigeria. It's ridiculous for Federal Government not to implement the 10-year agreement reached with the unions since 2010. Research institutes across the federation embarked on strike action since November last year, to press home their demands.

“The Joint Research and Allied Institutions Sector Unions (JORAISU), including the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) and the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), have vowed not to return to work until the government yields to its demands. Workers and Youth Solidarity Network supports the unions and calls on the federal government to meet their demands so that affected students can resume and workers can also resume their duties.

“The striking Unions demands also include payment of a 12-month Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS) arrears of 53.37 per cent increase, withdrawal of circular on non-skipping of salary Grade Level 10 (NICN judgment in favour of trade unions and others), retirement age of 65 years for non-research staff as obtainable in the universities and others, as well as peculiar and earned allowances, adequate funding of research institutes and release of scheme/conditions of service, among others.”

The group blames the regime for the All Progressives Congress (APC) – controlled federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, for the prolonged strike. It called on the federal government to immediately agree to the demands of the research workers and, as well, implement the 2010 agreement.

The statement furthers reads: “The ruling class in Nigeria is responsible for this strike and Nigerians should place the blame on the irresponsible and irresponsive Buhari regime. To us in Workers and Youth Solidarity Network, we know that the importance of research to the development of a nation can never be over-emphasised. The crisis therefore is caused by the looting by different sections of the ruling class that has little interest in research by the research institutions.

“Government has failed to offer a round table meeting with the striking unions. We call for unity among the unions and continuous public rallies like the one they organised in Ibadan, Oyo state, and in other parts of Nigeria last year. Such rallies are needed more to be replicated in all other parts of Nigeria where there are branches.

“Workers and Youth Solidarity Network hold strongly that in a globalised world, the role of research in an academic institution is significant for its sustainability and development, and it is important to have knowledge-driven growth based on innovations. The quest for knowledge is the basic principle behind research. So therefore the Buhari regime has no reason to continue to treat issues concerning research institutes with levity.

“If we have formidable research institutions, they will play important roles in discovering new treatments for curing COVID-19, and making sure that we can use existing treatments in the best possible ways.”

The group believes that only a mass protest of workers in research institutes can force government to meet their demands.

“For us in Workers and Youth Solidarity Network, we demand that workers should unite to form a mass workers political alternative to build forces that can bring pro-working class government to power with a socialist program. It's only when workers who are suffering fight for political power and build such movement that we can solve unresolved crisis in education and research institutes,” the group concluded.

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