The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has commenced an indefinite strike with effect from today.

The union accused the federal government of turning turning polytechnics boards to colonies of universities. It added that  no federal Polytechnic has received arrests of minimum wage.

The action is coming less than a week after resident doctors embarked on a nationwide strike over non-payment of allowances and other issues.

Announcing this at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday,  the ASUP President,  Anderson Ezeibe, said academic activities had been shut shown in all polytechnics and like institutions nationwide with effect from 12am, April 6.

The union’s grievances include: non payment of arrears of minimum wage by federal Polytechnics, states owing teachers’ salaries ranging between 5 and 24 months, alleged victimisation of union leaders despite signing a no victimisation clause with the government since 2017.

Others are non establishment of a Polytechnics’ commission for the sector to bridge gaps in regulatory activities, non implementation of the approved 65 years retirement age in the sector by some state governments and  alleged offensive claims of purported tax liabilities in 19 federal Polytechnics by the Accountant General of the Federation to illegally invade the legitimate emoluments of members.