The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions on Sunday called on government officials to stop using the no-work-no-pay policy as a tool of intimidation against workers, saying it is against fair labour practices
The General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi, who made the call through a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, said the repeated threats by government representatives to invoke the policy were ‘unjust and contrary to the principles of fair labour relations’
According to him, the policy, which is often cited from Section 42(1)(a) of the Trade Disputes Act, had been misused to silence lawful industrial actions by workers.
“The no-work-no-pay provision was never intended to be a weapon of oppression. It should not be used to criminalise legitimate struggles for fairness, dignity, and the fulfillment of agreements,” he said.
While explaining that that strikes were never impulsive actions, but the last resort taken after all lawful and conciliatory avenues had been exhausted, Adeyemi said government officials often neglect agreements and delay workers’ salaries, yet threaten sanctions when workers react.
“The no-work-no-pay provision was never intended to be a weapon of oppression. It should not be used to criminalise legitimate struggles for fairness, dignity, and the fulfilment of agreements,” he said.
Adeyemi explained that strikes were never impulsive actions, but the last resort taken after all lawful and conciliatory avenues had been exhausted.
He said government officials often neglect agreements and delay workers’ salaries, yet threaten sanctions when workers react.
“Where were these same officials when workers went for months without pay?
“The selective enforcement of no-work-no-pay while ignoring no-work-no-pay is unjust and contrary to the spirit of equity,” he said.
Adeyemi said that the International Labour Organisation Conventions 87 and 98 recognise the right to strike as a fundamental component of freedom of association and collective bargaining.
He said punitive actions against workers for engaging in lawful strikes were clear violations of international labour standards and Nigeria’s own labour laws.
Adeyemi said that workers’ struggles should not be misconstrued as rebellion, but as a cry for justice and respect for human dignity.
“No one is more patriotic than the Nigerian worker.
“Despite poor pay and unfulfilled promises, workers continue to build and sustain the nation,” he said, just as he also urged the government to institutionalise collective bargaining and honour agreements reached with unions to promote industrial harmony.
Adeyemi added in the statement that industrial peace cannot be achieved through threats or coercion but through mutual trust, respect, and compliance with the law.
He appealed to authorities to embrace dialogue and fairness as a foundation for a just and democratic labour relations system.
