The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called for the release of the N50 billion agreed with the Federal Government for payment of outstanding earned allowances of university unions.

The union also appealed to the government to ensure the payment of their four months withheld salaries during the last strike.

SSANU made the demands at the end of its 44th National Executive Council meeting which took place at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.

In a communiqué by its National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU said: “Arising from the collective bargaining Agreements signed between the JAC of SSANU and NASU and the Federal Government, Government had promised to release the sum of N50Billion for payment of outstanding Earned Allowances to Universities and Inter-University Centres. This Agreement is yet to be fulfilled.

“NEC in session urges Government to release funds for payment of the Allowances without further delay as this was provided for in the 2023 budget.

“The Labour Act 2005 section 31(6) as amended gives rights to Labour Unions to embark on strikes in line with laid down procedures. It would be recalled that Government had reneged on collective bargaining agreements with the Union leading to the industrial action. SSANU complied with and followed all industrial protocol before embarking on the strike. How then do they turn back and punish employees for fighting for their rights; a case of beating a child and asking him/her not to cry. Let it be known to Government that our members are yet to recover from the effect of the hardship caused by the withholding of their 4 months’ salaries, and may not recover from it unless the government does something about it.

“NEC in session views Government posture and position on the matter as unfair and unfortunate. We are well aware that salaries for those months were prepared, and therefore call on Government to urgently pay the arrears of our members’ withheld salaries without further delay,” it said. (The Nation)

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