The Federal Government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), to suspend its one-week warning strike.
ASUP embarked on the strike on Monday, explaining that it has become imperative, as the government has refused to improve polytechnic education in the country.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, made this appeal in a statement released on Tuesday.
He urged the union to suspend its strike in the interest of the students and added that the FG was willing to dialogue.
Ngige said: “The union had declared its intention to embark on a 5–day warning strike, effective from Jan. 31, 2017.
“Government will open an unhindered channel of communication with all stakeholders and shall maintain this.
“Moreover, the Federal Ministry of Education has been discussing issues with ASUP on the concerns raised.
“Therefore, it is important for Trade Unions to embrace social dialogue in the pursuit and attainment of the economic and social interests of their members anchored on equity, natural justice and agreed procedures
“I wish to remind the Trade Unions that there is nothing like a “Warning Strike” in our National Industrial Relations System.”
The minsiter noted that Section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act, CAP. T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004, would be applied regarding the law of “No Work No Pay’’.
