NASU decries delay of scheme of service for workers in research institutes

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has bemoaned the delay in granting approval for the release of the conditions and scheme of service for the federal research and development Institutes, Colleges, Agencies and Allied Institutions.

A communiqué signed by the Chairman, Wakili Tijani and General Secretary, Emma Okonkwor of the Research and Projects Trade Group Council of NASU, at the end of its regular meeting at Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Jericho Ibadan, said the agreement was reached between government and the Joint Committee of Unions, Committee of Directors of Research Institutes (CODRI) since 2013.

It reasoned that the delay by Government in granting approval for the release of these documents has made it practically impossible for the implementation of the 65 years retirement age for staff of the Research and Allied Institutions and other welfare matters.

The Council noted that while their counterparts in the Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education have had their retirement age reviewed upward from 60 years to 65 years by government, that of the staff of research and allied institutions sector has remained 60 years.

It therefore, called on Government to urgently release for implementation the reviewed Conditions/Scheme of Service for Federal Research and Development Institutes, Colleges, Agencies and Allied Institutions as presented to it in year 2013.

The Council-in-Session expressed dismay with the slow progress on the implementation of the grey areas in the agreement between Federal Government and the Unions in the Research and Allied Institution in January 2011.

The union also expressed disappointment with the way and manner the Federal Government has been paying lip service to the issues affecting the research and development institutions in the country.

It therefore called on Government to make pronouncement on when and how it intends to settle the 12 months arrears of CONRAISS and direct the full implementation of other issues forthwith.