FG bemoans JUSUN, PASAN, ASUP strikes

The Federal Government, on Thursday expressed sadness over negative impacts of 2-month-long strikes embarked upon by Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

It, however, appreciated the three unions for calling off their nationwide industrial action, saying their decisions to again allow the country to enjoy industrial peace and harmony while normalcy begins to return to the sectors is welcomed.

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Daily Trust reports that the three unions suspended their strikes on Wednesday, June 9 which they embarked on April 6 to press home their demands.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, through spokesman of his ministry, Charles Akpan, lamented how unions’ actions crippled justice system, legislative business and educational systems in the country.

“The JUSUN and PASAN strikes had a negative impact on our entire judicial system and state assemblies respectively.

“Similarly, academic activities were paralysed in our polytechnics for several weeks, owing to the ASUP strike. These strikes had a cumulative effect on our justice system, legislative business and our educational system, Ngige said.

The minister described the decision to call off the strike as a “better June 12 Democracy Day gift”, saying history had been made under President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, “At last, we are happy and glad that all these troubles have been put behind us, so that the country can move forward. There is no victor, no vanquished. As far as we are concerned here in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, everybody is a winner.

“The JUSUN and PASAN strikes have yielded autonomy for the state judiciary and legislature. This is yet another history made under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. For us, there is no better June 12 Democracy Day gift to Nigerians than the suspension of these industrial actions.”