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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has criticised the frequent threats by the Federal Government to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy, describing it as an instrument of intimidation against workers.
The general secretary of the union, Peters Adeyemi, made this known in a statement issued over the weekend.
Adeyemi accused the Federal Government of wielding Section 42(1)(a) of the Trade Disputes Act (Cap. T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) not as a tool of justice or industrial harmony but as a weapon to silence and delegitimise the genuine struggles of workers for fairness and dignity.
He explained that trade unions only embark on strikes as a last resort, often after government’s failure to honour agreements or implement negotiated terms.
The NASU scribe noted that while the law provides for the “No Work, No Pay” principle, it must not be interpreted in isolation. He said sections 18 to 20 of the same Act provide for conciliation and arbitration, which the government must respect in good faith.
Quoting Section 15 of the Labour Act, Adeyemi argued that withholding workers’ wages for months constitutes a breach of law.
He further drew attention to international labour standards, stating that Nigeria, as a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is bound by conventions recognising the right to strike as a fundamental aspect of freedom of association and collective bargaining.
He condemned what he described as the hypocrisy of governance, stressing that government officials provoke strikes through neglect and broken promises, only to punish workers for reacting.
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The labour leader called on the government to institutionalise collective bargaining in key sectors such as education and health, respect agreements voluntarily entered into with unions, and honour Nigeria’s commitments under ILO Conventions 87 and 98.
“Union leaders are not anarchists or agitators for chaos. Strikes are not impulsive or frivolous actions; they are the last resort, invoked only after every lawful and conciliatory avenue has been exhausted. Strikes, though disruptive, are often the inevitable response to Government’s own dereliction of duty, its failure to honour agreements, implement negotiated terms, and uphold the sanctity of labour laws.
“The solution to recurring industrial crises lies not in threats or intimidation, but in institutionalising collective bargaining, especially in critical sectors such as education and health. Respect collective bargaining agreements voluntarily entered into with unions, through their implementation.
“Collective bargaining, when properly anchored in law and practice, provides a structured and transparent mechanism for negotiating employment terms, resolving grievances, and ensuring mutual respect between employers and employees.
“The Trade Unions Act, Trade Disputes Act, Labour Act and Nigeria’s ratified ILO Conventions 87 and 98 already provide a strong legal foundation for this. What is required now is political will, the commitment of Government to honour agreements, respect due process, and see trade unions not as adversaries but as partners in national development.
“To those who constantly threaten us with “No Work, No Pay,” we say: try “No Pay, No Work.” Respect agreements. Honour the law. Treat workers with dignity and justice. When workers are treated fairly, there will be no need for strikes.
“Industrial harmony cannot be achieved through coercion; it thrives on mutual trust, respect, and compliance with both national and international labour standards. The time has come for Nigeria to rise above intimidation and hypocrisy, and to embrace the principles of fairness, justice, and collective dialogue as the foundation of a truly democratic labour relations system,” the statement added.
