The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has called on the Federal Government to promptly pay its members the N35,000 wage award sanctioned for public sector workers to prevent a potential industrial action.
ASUP President Shammah Kpanja expressed the discontent of polytechnic lecturers, citing economic hardships as a source of frustration.
Kpanja alleged that the government had only made a single payment of the N35,000, despite initially committing to a six-month duration for the disbursement.
The N35,000 wage award was approved by the government in response to the removal of fuel subsidy in May of the previous year, with payments commencing in September.
According to Kpanja, the government’s failure to adhere to the agreed-upon timeline has left ASUP members grappling with economic challenges.
He emphasized the impact of increased prices of goods and services following the subsidy removal, affecting the living conditions of union members.
“The agreement was that the wage award would run for six months, effective from September 2023. But as we speak, the government only paid in September, and we are in January 2024. Yet, the government is not saying anything, despite the harsh economic situation,” Kpanja stated.
Additionally, the ASUP president highlighted the government’s failure to implement the 35 and 25 per cent salary increase for workers in tertiary institutions.
He pointed out that the last salary increase for academic workers in polytechnics occurred in 2010, and subsequent negotiations were halted by the government. Kpanja noted that the promised salary increments for chief lecturers and other workers were intended to take effect from January 2023, emphasizing the pressing need for the government to address these issues promptly.
