Unpaid salaries: ASUU threatens strike in Taraba varsity
The Taraba State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) warned to begin an indefinite strike if its demands are not met.
Rising from a congress meeting held today, the union calls on the state government to promptly take tangible measures to tackle their grievances, safeguarding the institution’s long-term growth and stability, or face potential industrial unrest.
Speaking to reporters, Mbave Garba, the union’s Chairman, revealed that their apprehensions encompass staff pension and gratuity, salary turmoil, the non-execution of Taraba State House of Assembly’s Law No.4 regarding funding, outstanding academic allowances, and the non-adherence to the Memorandum of Action.
”ASUU-TSU Congress raised concerns about the non-implementation of Law No. 4 of the Taraba State House of Assembly, which outlines various funding sources for the university.”
”These funding sources include 5% of the monthly state statutory allocation, 5% of the monthly allocation of local governments in the state, 2.5% of contracts awarded by the state and local governments, 2% as state education levy from charges on guests in hotels in the state, and other sources as determined by the university council.”
He further stated that the inadequate funding has adversely affected the seamless operation of the institution.
”On Salary crisis, he said ”members expressed deep concern over the inadequate funding of the university, which has led to the delays and irregular and sometimes fractional payment of salaries”
”In summary, we are owed six full months and seven months fractional salaries, and it may interest you to know that as of today, our members are yet to be paid their salaries for July and August “.
”It is worrisome to mention that our members are going through excruciating economic realities in the wake of the subsidy removal and inflationary forces and the general public may wish to know that besides other issues, this has been a major trigger of strike actions in the state varsity over the years ”
”On the non-implementation of the Memorandum of Action, the union said, ”The agreement signed on 18th March 2021 by the Taraba State government, Taraba State University management, and the ASUU-TSU branch is demoralizing”
”The Union members are owed Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) dating back to 2015 and the government lacks clarity regarding staff pension and gratuity”
”There has been no progress on constructing the perimeter fence to enhance the security of the university as agreed upon in the MOA. The outstanding promotion arrears for 2020, 2021, and 2022, including the annual step increment from October 2020 to July 2021 have not been paid to its members,” the ASUU Chairman said.