IMSU WORKERS THREATENED STRIKE ACTION OVER NONPAYMENT OF SALARIES

Reporter:  CHINAZO ILECHUKWU–

The Joint Action Committee of Non Academic Staff Union, National Association of Academic Technologists and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria University in the Imo State University have threatened to resume its suspended industrial action if the state government fails to address the challenges facing the institution.

Addressing Journalists in Owerri, the Chairman of the Non Academic Staff Union of the University Comrade Eugenia John-Anoruo lamented nonpayment of salaries of over six hundred staff of the Institution from February to date. She said despite submission of bank verification numbers as requested by the government many were yet to receive salaries for the past five months.

Comrade John-Anoruo identified inadequate funding of the University, removal of peculiar allowances to staff and loss of university autonomy due to Treasury Single Account as some of the issues bothering the union and called on the government to address the situation in the interest of the university. She accused the government of owing the staff of over one billion naira remittance of contributory pension scheme to Pension Fund Administrators, non-remittance of check-off dues and staff welfare deductions.

The Joint Action Committee appealed to the government to re-constitute and inaugurate the governing council of the university to enable the smooth functioning of the Institution as established by the law. Members of the three unions later embarked on a peaceful match around the University carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “Stop Selective Payment”, “University autonomy is sacrosanct” and “Pay our Pensioners”.