Punch latest news on asuu strike
Here are the latest news updates on the ASUU strike:
Latest Update (March 2023)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has extended its ongoing strike by four weeks, citing the federal government's failure to meet its demands. The strike, which began on February 14, 2023, has been ongoing for over a month.
Background
The ASUU strike was called off in December 2020 after a nine-month strike, but the union resumed the strike in February 2023 due to the government's failure to implement the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement and the 2020 ASUU-FGN Memorandum of Action (MoA).
Demands
ASUU is demanding:
- Renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement
- Implementation of the 2020 ASUU-FGN MoA
- Payment of outstanding salaries and allowances
- Revitalization of public universities
- Improved funding for universities
- Establishment of a university autonomy bill
Government Response
The federal government has been accused of not taking the strike seriously, with some officials saying that the strike is unnecessary and that the government is willing to negotiate with ASUU. However, ASUU has rejected the government's offer, saying that it is not sufficient to address the union's demands.
Impact
The strike has had a significant impact on the education sector, with many students unable to attend classes and universities unable to operate normally. The strike has also affected the economy, with some businesses and industries reliant on the education sector.
Recent Developments
- The National Assembly has passed a bill to establish a university autonomy bill, which ASUU has welcomed as a step in the right direction.
- The federal government has set up a committee to negotiate with ASUU, but the union has rejected the committee's composition, saying that it is not representative of the union's demands.
- Some state governments have taken steps to resolve the strike, with some offering to pay the salaries of ASUU members in their states.
Next Steps
The strike is expected to continue until ASUU's demands are met. The union has vowed to continue the strike until the government implements its demands, while the government has said that it is willing to negotiate with ASUU. The outcome of the strike remains uncertain, but it is likely to have a significant impact on the education sector and the economy.