The Federal Government has commended the Nigerian Judicial Staff Union (JUSUN), the Nigeria Parliamentary Staff Association (PASAN) and the Polytechnic Academic Staff Union (ASUP) for quashing their nationwide protest actions .
Labor and Employment Minister Senator Chris Ngige made this known in a statement by Charles Akpan, deputy director of the ministry Thursday in Abuja.
Ngige said the government welcomed the separate decisions of the three unions to call off their strikes to allow the country to enjoy labor peace and harmony.
He said that the JUSUN and PASAN strikes have had a negative impact on the entire judiciary and state assemblies respectively.
“Likewise, academic activities were paralyzed in our polytechnics for several weeks because of the ASUP strike.
“These strikes have had a cumulative effect on our justice system, our legislative affairs and our education system.
“Finally, we are happy and happy that all of these issues have been put behind us, so that the country can move forward.
“There is no winner or loser. As far as we are concerned here at the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment, everyone wins, ” he said.
The minister said that the strikes by JUSUN and PASAN had ceded autonomy to the state’s judiciary and legislature.
Ngige said that “this is yet another story made under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. “
“For us, there is no better gift of June 12 for Democracy Day to Nigerians than the suspension of these industrial actions.
“We therefore wish to thank all those who have contributed to the resolution of labor disputes.
“We assure the unions of the timely implementation of the agreements that the federal government has reached with them during the conciliation of disputes in my office,” he said.
He said the federal government would not relax its efforts to improve the conditions of service of its workforce.
Ngige, however, called on members of JUSUN, PASAN and ASUP to join with the federal government in ensuring unhindered access to justice and quality education for all Nigerians.
ASUP had informed him earlier in a letter to the Minister of Labor and Employment of the suspension of his strike with effect from Thursday, June 10.
In the letter signed by Secretary General Shamma Kpanja, ASUP appreciated the diligence of Senator Ngige and ministry officials in resolving the issues.
The union also prayed for industrial harmony through the faithful and timely implementation of all elements contained in the protocol of action.
The union expressed the belief that none of its members would be victimized because of their role in the strike.
