Members of the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu staff unions have taken to the university campus to protest six months unpaid salaries. The unions said none of their staff have been paid their salaries despite efforts made by the members during the coronavirus lockdown.

In a statement signed by the chairmen of the staff unions, the welfare scheme that should have been the last resort to save staff from starvation and the humiliation of poverty was unavailable because of the seizure of their check-offs.

According to the unions, the non-payment of their entitlements is contrary to the labour act which stresses the release of unions check-offs within 24 hours of deduction.

The statement read in part, “This is to let the world know that despite the several labour-relations approved channels of addressing our welfare matters and bringing them up to the notice and attention of the management of the university and the governing council, we are still very far from the promised land.”

The unions that participated in the protest include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).