A one-week warning strike by the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, the Ebonyi College of Education, Ikwo chapter, over unpaid benefits has paralysed academic activities at the institution.

The strike, which commenced on Monday, disrupted lectures, examinations, and other academic programmes, according to a statement on Tuesday.

The union explained that the industrial action followed the expiration of the two ultimatums, including the 14-day and seven-day ultimatums, earlier issued to the Ebonyi government and the institution’s management over what the union described as “years of neglect and poor conditions of service”.

“We are on strike because the 2024 salary structure has not been implemented. This is 2026, and nothing has been done,” the union stated.

The union disclosed that it was demanding the payment of a living wage and settlement of pensions and gratuities owed to retired staff members.

According to the statement, lecturers’ salaries are still paid under an “outdated structure tied to the ₦18,000 minimum wage introduced over a decade ago.

“As we speak, some staff who have worked for 20 years to 22 years earn less than ₦30,000 in today’s Nigeria. With a litre of fuel selling above ₦1,500, how do they survive?” stated the union.

It added that the situation had become life-threatening for many members of the institution’s staff.

“Our members are dying almost on a daily basis because of hardship. This is no longer just about salaries. It is about survival,” the union stated.

The group further decried the non-payment of pensions and gratuities, describing the fate of retired staff as “heartbreaking”.

“You work for 35 years and go home with nothing: no pension, no gratuity. It is not supposed to be so,” added the union.

It warned that failure to address the issues after the warning strike would trigger an indefinite industrial action.

A retiree, Celestine Oke, said that after retiring from service many years ago, he had yet to receive his pension or gratuity.

“I retired in 2022, and until today, I have not received my pension nor gratuity; I survive from hand to mouth,” Mr Okey said.

Another retiree, Samuel Uwalaka, described the situation as unbearable.

“We are suffering. Our colleagues elsewhere have been paid, but we have been left behind. Government should come to our rescue,” Mr Uwalaka said.

Reacting to the strike, the college’s provost, Benedict Mbam, confirmed that the union was demanding the implementation of the 2024 salary structure approved by the Salaries and Wages Commission.

“They are pressing for the implementation of the 2024 salary structure and we have communicated this to the state government.  As soon as we hear from the governor, I believe the matter will be addressed. The government is responsible for their salaries,” Mbam said.

(NAN)