Strike: Coalition of Research Institutes plan 2-days mega rally in FCT
AREWA AGENDA – Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), on Thursday says the Union will embark on rally to press home their demands to Federal Government.
Dr Akintola Benjamin, the National President of SSAUTHRIAI said this while speaking newsmen, the sideline of Perennial and Sectorial Meetings of the Research Institutes organised at the National Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) in Ilorin.
He asserts that by next week, the Unions will announce the dates of the two-day mega rally in Abuja, adding that SSAUTHRIAI and the Joint Research and Allied Institute Sector Unions (JORAISU) have been on strike over welfare of workers for sometimes.
Benjamin explained that strike action was declared on Oct. 13, 2021, adding that the strike initially started between 2010 and 2018.
He said that the Union had 33 meetings with the Federal Government and House of Representatives with no result.
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He pointed out that among their agitations includes increase in salaries, payment of arrears and extension of 65 years retirement age among others.
According to him, Nigerian Research workers are migrating to the Universities and other sectors because of unfavorable working condition.
“For Nigeria to develop, and become a producer nation, it must prioritize its researche institutes and workers,” he said.
Benjamin also noted that the adoption of Brazilian model of research would not work in Nigeria, adding that people needed to understudy such model by travelling to Brazil.
He also advocated the establishment of a central body; National Research Institutes Commission (NARICOM).
“The establishment of the commission will coordinate all activities of the Research Institute, so that condition will be better like what is obtained in the Universities,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Patricia Pesu, the Executive Director of NSPRI, said research institutes are national infrastructures established for the development of the country, especially in post-harvest research, safety and stability of foods in the country.
Pesu, represented by Dr Oyebanji Olufemi, the Director, Research Operation of NSPRI, observed that the issue of strike actions has to do with welfare of members.
He assured that NSPRI would do its best to protect the interest of researchers and workers
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