The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the federal government over its “unproductive ‘no work, no pay’ policy” targeted at members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). During a press briefing held on Monday, the leadership of the NLC condemned the policy, which has been a key point of contention in the ongoing dispute between the government and ASUU.
The NLC expressed its unwavering support for ASUU and criticized the government for its failure to address the longstanding issues affecting university lecturers, including poor wages, inadequate funding, and substandard working conditions. In the statement, the NLC’s President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, emphasized that the policy, rather than promoting productivity, was an unjust tactic that undermines the rights of workers to fair compensation.
“The government must stop using the ‘no work, no pay’ policy as a tool to bully ASUU members. We will not stand idly by while the government continues its assault on the rights of workers. If the demands of ASUU are not addressed, we will mobilize all workers across the nation to take decisive action,” Ajaero said.
The NLC warned that if the federal government fails to heed ASUU’s legitimate demands, it would not hesitate to initiate a nationwide protest involving key sectors of the economy, with the aim of paralyzing national operations. The Congress has called for solidarity among workers, stressing that the fight for better conditions for university lecturers is a fight for the future of the nation’s education system.
ASUU has been at loggerheads with the government for several months over issues ranging from the payment of salaries and allowances to the proper funding of the country’s universities. The union has repeatedly gone on strike to draw attention to these concerns, leading to significant disruptions in academic activities.
The government, on the other hand, has insisted on implementing the “no work, no pay” policy, arguing that it is necessary to ensure that workers fulfill their responsibilities. However, the NLC believes the approach is counterproductive and will only lead to further deterioration of the education sector.
“We will not allow this administration to destroy our educational system by treating lecturers like mere pawns,” Ajaero added. “We stand with ASUU, and we will ensure that the government listens.”
The statement comes at a time when universities across Nigeria are already grappling with the consequences of prolonged strikes and underfunding. The NLC’s warning sets the stage for what could become a major standoff between organized labor and the federal government, with potentially widespread implications for the country’s economy and political stability.
As the dispute continues, many are watching closely to see whether the government will find a way to resolve the issues or if the country is headed for a full-scale labor mobilization that could disrupt daily life across Nigeria.
