SERAP knocks FG for paying lecturers half salaries

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has criticised the deductions from the October salaries of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The body urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, and the acting Accountant General, Sylva Okolieaboh to reverse the deductions.

SERAP also demands that ASUU members get full salaries for the duration of their eight months of industrial action.

In an open letter, deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said the amount of the deductions to punish the lecturers for exercising their right to strike.

The organization said the deductions violate the right of members of ASUU to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families.

“Strikes are an essential means available to workers and their organizations to protect their interests”, it added.

SERAP said industrial actions are protected under the Nigerian Constitution, ILO conventions, and human rights treaties to which the country is a state party.

The letter threatened to take appropriate legal actions to coerce Buhari’s government to comply with its requests in the interest of the public.