The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Academic and Non-Academic Staff Unions of Bauchi State-owned tertiary institutions has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the State Government to improve the working conditions of their members or face an indefinite strike action.
The ultimatum was issued on Tuesday by the JAC during a press conference held at the Conference Hall of the NUJ Press Center, Bauchi titled: An Urgent Plea for the Implementation of Minimum Wage and our Concern on the Pension Act in Bauchi State.
The text of the Briefing was read by Comrade Engr Abubakar Ahmed,
State JAC Chairman stated, “As the Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) representing the Academic and Non-Academic staff of our esteemed Bauchi State-owned Tertiary Institutions, I stand before you today, united in purpose and with deep concern for the well-being of our members. We are at a critical juncture, one that echoes in the very heart of our educational system and reflects our shared values of fairness and justice.”
According to him, “For far too long, the voices of our dedicated members, those who tirelessly work to mould the minds of future generations, have gone unheard. It is time to address the pressing issues of minimum wage implementation in the State.”
On what he described as the precarious State of members’ Welfare, he stated that, “Every day, members of Staff in our tertiary institutions dedicate themselves to their responsibilities, driven by a commitment to educate and inspire our youths.”
“Yet, despite their unwavering devotion, many of these professionals are burdened by inadequate compensation that falls short of the minimum wage directive set by the federal government. The consequences of failing to implement this policy extend beyond individual workers; they permeate the educational environment and by extension, our society,” he added.
The JAC Chairman stressed that quality of Education is at Stake stating that, “The clear reality is that when we are underpaid, the quality of education invariably suffers. Motivated teachers inspire students, create safe learning environments, and foster critical thinking. However, when faced with constant financial stress, unable to meet their basic needs, their ability to perform at their best diminishes.”
According to him, “Imagine learning under the guidance of a teacher whose mind is preoccupied with worries about how to pay for food or education for their own children. This is not just a professional failure; it’s a systematic failure that we must confront together.”
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He further spoke about the risk of brain drain stating that, “As conditions remain stagnant, we are witnessing a worrying trend of migration of the best brains and skilled professionals seeking better opportunities in neighbouring State’s and Federal institutions.”
He added that “The loss of talented teachers is a heavy price to pay, not just for the affected institutions but for our entire State. Each departure represents a lost potential, diminished expertise, and ultimately, a reduction in the quality of education available to our students. We cannot afford to lose our brightest minds; they are the life-blood of societal progress.”
Speaking on financial hardship, he stated that, “Equally concerning, is the daily struggle faced by our staff and members to provide for their families resulting from the present economic realities and harsh government policies like the abrupt subsidy removal as well as growing index of inflation.”
On its call for action, JAC declared that, “Given the urgency of these matters and the significant impact they have on our members’ welfare as well as the educational quality and advancement in the State, we hereby issue a 21-day ultimatum to the Government of Bauchi State starting from today, Tuesday November 19th, 2024. We demand the immediate implementation of the new minimum Wage for all workers in tertiary institutions (i.e CONPCASS and CONTEDISS).”
It further declared that, “Failure to address this pressing issue within the allotted time will compel us to take industrial action, as we believe it is critical to uphold the rights and welfare of our workforce. We urge the government to act promptly and responsibly to avoid further disruption.”
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