FG declares ASUU as an illegal labour union
NEWS DIGEST – The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, has said that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), is not recognised as a labour union in the public service.
The Head of Service also said on Monday that the Nigerian Medical Association also nor its affiliation is recognised.
She noted this during the opening of the separate and joint meetings of the national public service negotiating councils, which had the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, and the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba in present.
Dr. Folashade in her words said, “While you sit at plenary, I ask that among other crucial matters to be discussed, you are enjoined to note that Unions like the Nigeria Medical Association and the Academic Staff Union of Universities and their affiliates are not members of any recognized Labour Union in the Public Service and government is considering bringing the Health and Education Sectors to constitute two additional Councils, subject to recommendations emerging from the meetings.
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“Sustaining industrial harmony in any sector of a country’s economy, including the public sector, is strategic and cardinal to national development. This is because there cannot be meaningful development in any country where the grievances of workers, who are the drivers of development, are ignored.
“In line with the principle and practice of collective bargaining, the government, particularly in recent times, has had to engage organised labour unions in constant dialogue. Thus, it is pleasing to note that such effort has not been in vain, as we can appreciate the evident harmonious industrial atmosphere in the country.
She intensified the need for public service to continue in programmes, plans that will foster development and socio-economic impact to the people through the government.
“As you know, the public service is the instrument of government for the formulation and implementation of policies, programmes and projects, leveraging on efficient aggregation and deployment of human and material resources. This role, over the years, necessitated reforms that redefined, restructured and repositioned the public service to enable it respond to the socio-economic and political dynamics of public administration.”
