Labour, Federal Ministry of Education set to wear one trousers over anti-workers activities

By allcitynews.ng

Unless urgent steps are taken to meet the demands of workers in civil service, under the aegis of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), the leadership of the Union is set to wear one trousers with the Federal Ministry of Education (FME).

As a result, the Union has given a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Education, threatening industrial action in all 110 Unity Colleges across the country, if  government fails to address lingering welfare issues affecting its members.

In a letter dated Thursday, January 23, 2025, and addressed to the ministry, ASCSN Secretary-General, Comrade Joshua Apebo, expressed regret over the ministry’s refusal to convene a meeting to resolve issues raised in multiple letters sent since 2023.

He described the ministry’s inaction as contemptuous and detrimental to industrial peace and harmony.

The welfare demands outlined by the union include:

<span;>*Payment of arrears for promotion, salaries, and elongation benefits.

<span;>* Compensation for Education Officers displaced from Unity Schools in the North-East.

<span;>*Payment of the first 28 days’ allowance in lieu of hotel accommodation as per Public Service Rules.

Disarticulation of Junior Secondary Schools from Senior Secondary Schools to create career advancement opportunities at the Directorate level.

Payment of transport allowances and duty travel allowances (DTA) for Federal Education Quality Assurance Service (FEQAS) staff.

<span;>*Reduction of exorbitant medical fees charged under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by Health Management Organizations (HMOs) appointed by the ministry.

The union further demanded the regularization of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers’ appointments, inclusion of ASCSN units in the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) for decision-making purposes, and implementation of scholarships for children of Education Officers in line with a directive from former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Comrade Apebo emphasized the union’s frustration over the ministry’s failure to resume quarterly meetings to discuss members’ welfare concerns. “We have consistently called for dialogue, but our efforts have been ignored. The National Leadership of the Association can no longer contain the restiveness of its members in Unity Colleges” he warned.

ASCSN has urged stakeholders to prevail on the Federal Ministry of Education to engage in dialogue to avoid disruption.

“It is better to act now rather than wait for industrial action to begin before seeking solutions,” the union stated.

The ultimatum, set to expire in 21 days, leaves the government with little time to avert a nationwide shutdown of Unity Schools and potential disruptions in the education sector.

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