By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The federal government has appealed to the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) not to proceed with its proposed nationwide strike that could cripple academic activities across universities.
The appeal was made on Thursday during a meeting between government officials and the leadership of NAAT at the Ministry of Labour and Employment headquarters in Abuja, following the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued by the union over unresolved demands.
Labour and Employment Minister, Maigari Dingyadi, who led the government team, announced the setting up of a technical committee to address the issues raised by the union. He also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NAAT leaders to pave the way for further dialogue.
NAAT President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, and the union’s General Secretary, Comrade Abubakar Yusuf, signed the agreement on behalf of the workers.
Speaking after the meeting, the ministry’s spokesperson, Patience Onuobia, said the committee was mandated to address key issues, including the mainstreaming of allowances for NAAT members, such as Field Trip, Student Technologist Staff Ratio Supplementation, Student Work Experience Programme (SWEP), and call duty allowances.
Onuobia said, “The meeting also directed the same committee to handle both the payment of three and a half months’ withheld salaries, the release of third-party deductions of the two months’ withheld salaries paid, and payment of seven and 11 months arrears of Occupational Hazard and Responsibility Allowances respectively.”
She added that the committee would also look into the arrears of the N30,000 minimum wage for omitted NAAT members, payment of one-year arrears of 35% and 25% salary increments, and ensure a supplementary payment of N50bn earned allowances through the Federal Ministry of Education.
The meeting further resolved that another round of conciliation would be held in three weeks to review the committee’s report.
Signatories to the MoU on the government’s side included Mr. Harry Ogugua, Acting Head of Industrial & Labour Relations Division, NUC; Emmanuel Onung, Representative of Federal Ministry of Education; and Falonipe Amos O., Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.