Funmi Komolafe and Victor Ahiuma- Young
23 July 2008
Lagos — THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has sent an urgent letter to President Umar Musa Yar'Adua calling for his direct and urgent intervention in the four-week national strike of the Nigeria Union Teachers over failure of government to issue a circular on the implementation of the Teachers' Salary Structure.
The NLC emphasized, "This matter at this stage requires your urgent direct intervention to break the impasse and enunciate a framework that will meaningfully address the concerns of the teachers"..
It called on Mr. President to "act like a statesman that is genuinely concerned about education".
In a letter signed by , its president, Abdulwaheed Ibrahim Omar who until his election as NLC president was the national president of the NUT stated, "I write to respectfully call for Your Excellency's urgent decisive personal intervention over the nation-wide strike by primary and secondary school teachers organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). It is unfortunate that the strike, which has paralysed educational activities in the primary and secondary schools systems, has been allowed to enter the third week".
Emphasising its determination to play a mediator role, the NLC stated that though it appreciates the "the positions canvassed by the Federal Government, especially the need to avoid imposing rates of salaries and allowances on the states" what the " NUT's demand is for the issuance of a circular or an administrative instrument to give effect to the Professional/Related allowances peculiar to the teaching profession by the Federal Government with respect to teachers in its employment".
The NLC stated, "It is unfortunate because the issues involved are rather clear and simple. The issues do not warrant the irreconcilability that is now evident in the positions of the Federal Government and the NUT.
However, now that an impasse has ensured, leadership is required at the highest level to make the required compromises and ensure that peace is returns. The consideration now should be the immediate resumption of classes as opposed to the unhelpful rhetoric of some government officials, especially the gratuitous lectures on federalism".
It emphasized "Your Excellency's intervention apart from addressing the immediate issue can also create the institutional framework for handling industrial relations issues in the future, especially in the light of the current concerns canvassed by the Federal Government.
To continue to canvass those concerns rather than break the impasse calls to question official sincerity about commitment to education and the welfare of teachers. Those issues alone should not be the superseding factor in the resolution of this impasse nor should raising them be an end in itself".
On claims by some senior government officials that teachers in the unity schools are not members of the NUT, the NLC stated, " It is strange to logic that some government officials insist that Federal Government teachers are "just civil servants".
This is true to the extent that they are employed through the Federal Civil Service Commission, just as other professionals. However, this does not mean that they are not teachers. For that reason, they are entitled to those professional allowances for which the National Assembly has rightly appropriated funds.
Of course, as a profession and trade union body, the NUT is legitimately entitled to make demands in the name, and on behalf, of all teachers irrespective of their affiliation".
NLC added, "We have no doubt that your government appreciates that the strike has become a matter of grave national concern, which informs the overwhelming national support and solidarity with the teachers. The NLC is convinced that you appreciate the damage that this impasse is inflicting on our children and our nation".
On a noted of appeal, Omar wrote, " . We urge you to find the will to act with decisiveness and compassion for the teachers and the pupils/students, so that classes can re-open early this week. In furtherance of this, the national leadership of the NLC requests an urgent meeting with Mr. President".
Meanwhile, the National Executive Council of the NLC is due to meet in Abuja on July 29. The meeting with will among other issues discuss the NUT strike would be attended by leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU).
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
