ASUP wanted to stop our registration – FEPASU
The General Secretary of the proposed Federal Polytechnics Academic Staff Union (FEPASU), Ogu Musa Akwe, has said the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) was opposed to the registration of his union.
Dr. Akwe, who made the revelation in a press statement at the weekend, stated that a tripartite meeting was convened by the Registrar of Trade Unions, Minister of Labour and Employment between ASUP and FEPASU on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 in Abuja, on the objection of ASUP to the registration of FEPASU.
The general secretary disclosed that the registrar said it would grant FEPASU registration if it met all the legal requirements, noting that he and concerned comrades of FEPASU who attended the tripartite meeting, defended their stand on pulling out of ASUP.
“We want to pull out of ASUP for lacking democracy and the welfare of staff of federal polytechnics. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, gives us the right to assemble freely and associate with other persons without hindrance.
“The International Labor Organisation (ILO) 1848 Convention 87, Article 2 of part 1 states that workers and employers without distinction whatsoever shall have the right to establish and subject only to the rules of the organisation concerned to join organisations of their own choice without previous authorisation,” he said.
“We want to leave ASUP because there is no internal democracy in elections and governance. The members keep recycling leadership positions among them. Federal government’s policies cannot be effectively implemented by state polytechnics representatives.
“Negotiations and bargaining strength with federal government can only be better represented and secured by federal polytechnics. IPPIS differentials, and 2% percent dues are remitted in bulk against state polytechnic staff. There is lack of accountability and transparency in ASUP national, and domination of state polytechnics staff in the national,” he averred.
Dr Akwe said FEPASU doesn’t represent any sectional group, regional or any primordial interest and should not be undermined by sentiment and pessimism for its registration.
He called on the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to act within the law and process the registration of FEPASU which comprises law-abiding individuals that are only pursuing their rights.
The general secretary assured concerned members that the registration of FEPASU is underway for better welfare, leadership, equality, accountability without preference of purpose.
He explained that the change of name from the Academic Staff Union of Federal Polytechnics (ASUFEP) to Federal Polytechnics Staff Union (FEPASU) was to avoid its resemblance with ASUP.
