- Which followed a meeting with the heads of the university-based unions
- NLC initiate a comprehensive strike involving all workers
- ASUU recently declared a strike after the expiration of a 14-day grace period
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a four-week ultimatum to successfully conclude its ongoing discussions with various tertiary institutions-based unions.
Eko Hot Blog reports that this threat of a major nationwide industrial action came from NLC President Joe Ajaero during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja, which followed a meeting with the heads of the university-based unions.
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Ajaero stressed that the widespread issues in the education sector require attention beyond just the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
He warned that if the government fails to finalize all necessary settlements within the four-week period, the NLC’s national decision-making organs will convene to initiate a comprehensive strike involving all workers and unions across the country.
In a strong message directed at government officials, Ajaero declared an end to the practice of signing collective pacts only to follow up with threats against union members. He particularly condemned the punitive no-work-no-pay policy, which was enforced against ASUU members for their recent industrial action.
The NLC has adopted a reciprocal position: “The policy, the so-called policy of no work, no pay, will henceforth be no pay, no work.” He attributed the vast majority of strikes in the country to the failure of authorities to honor previous agreements.
The NLC reiterated its full solidarity with ASUU and other academic unions. ASUU recently declared a strike after the expiration of a 14-day grace period, citing the government’s failure to meet demands related to staff welfare, salary arrears, university funding, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.
The labour movement is now pushing for resolution to safeguard the quality and continuity of public higher education in Nigeria.
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