JORAISU Strike: Research institutes hold rally

Workers in research institutes in Ibadan on Thursday held a peaceful rally in connection with the ongoing nationwide strike by the Joint Research and Allied Institutions Sector Unions (JORAISU). Supreme reports that the institutes involved include the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) and the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN).

The others are the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), National Centre For Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) and Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T). Supreme reports that the workers, who started the rally at NIHORT, marched to FRIN, Alesinloye Market and other designated places in Ibadan.

A representative of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutes (ASURI), Dr Kayode Ayegboyin, noted at the rally that ASURI had been on strike since December 2020. He said that the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHURIAI) joined the strike on Oct.12.

He said that the institutes involved security operatives including the police to ensure a peaceful rally. The representative of NASU, Mr Sunday Abiodun, said the rally would continue until November. He continued that about five rallies will be held. The strike is an indefinite declared upon by the national body, and Ibadan staff have no option than to obey. He said that they would continue until demands are met.

Similarly, the representative of SSAUTHURIAI, Mr Raphael Omolaiye, said the institutes were demanding payment of one year arrears of 53.37 per cent salary increment since 2009 and immediate conclusion of review of conditions/scheme of service. Omolaiye said that they are also demanding withdrawal of the retrogressive circular on non-skipping of Grade Level 10 and establishment of National Research Institutes Commission, among others.