ASUU set to protest half-salary, declares lecture-free day

196

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has decided against holding a one-day nationwide protest against the Federal Government’s payment of lecturers’ half salaries in October.

Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, National President of ASUU, confirmed the development on Monday.

According to him, the planned protest was organised at the ASUU branch levels across the country, and each branch of the academic union chose their own dates.

Similarly, the chairperson of ASUU, the University of Lagos branch, Dr Dele Ashiru confirmed the development  on Monday.

He said the protest will hold on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at the Julius Berger auditorium in UNILAG.

Ashiru noted that the action is necessary to protest the “no-work, no-pay” policy for lecturers activated by the Federal Government.

Last week, ASUU slammed the Federal Government over the payment of half salaries to lecturers in October.

The union condemned the ‘pro-rata’ payment to its members and accused the government of an attempt to reduce Nigerian scholars to casual workers.

ASUU had on October 14, 2022, called off its eight-month strike after the National Industrial Court ordered the lecturers to resume.

The union, however, said the response of the government, especially its ‘pro-rata’ payment of October salaries of academics, portrayed them as daily paid workers.

“This is not only an aberration but a contravention of all-known rules of engagement in any contract of employment for academics the world over,” the union stated.