Resumption
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, March 14, 2018 (NAN) Activities are gradually picking up at research institutes in Ibadan following Monday’s suspension of the almost four months industrial action by research institutes in the country, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
A NAN correspondent, who visited the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) and the Nigerian Social and Economic Research (NISER) among others on Wednesday, observed that administrative offices had opened for operations.
In addition, workers were also seen in other offices, signifying the gradual restoration of business at the institutes.
NAN reports that the unions involved in the strike were the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI).
Others are the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutes (ASURI) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).
NASU Chairman in NISER, Comrade Wole Famoriyo, told NAN that they resumed work as directed by the unions’ executives.
“Our executives at the national level met with the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh and that of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, and they signed an agreement which gave government four to five weeks to do the needful.
“So that was why we had to start work,” he said.
The institutes embarked on a nationwide strike on Nov. 14, 2017 and suspended the action on March 12.
The unions are demanding among others, the establishment of National Research Institute Commission and the release of Conditions of Service, which they had been negotiating with the government since 2011.
Other demands are adequate funding of research institutes, payment of 12 months arrears of 53.37 per cent salary increase and the withdrawal of circular on non-skipping of grade level. (NAN)
CC/MAS/GY
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Edited by Moses Solanke/Grace Yussuf