NASU Condemns “No Work, No Pay” Threats as Unfair and Oppressive
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has strongly criticized the Nigerian government for its repeated threats to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy. The union views these threats as an intimidation tactic that undermines justice, the dignity of labor, and the principles of collective bargaining.
In a detailed statement, NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters A. Adeyemi, highlighted how federal authorities have weaponized Section 42(1)(a) of the Trade Disputes Act. He argued that this provision is being misused as a tool against workers who are considering lawful strike actions. According to Adeyemi, the clause is being invoked in bad faith and used as a shield to justify the government’s repeated violations of agreements with unions.
Adeyemi emphasized that strikes are not impulsive or frivolous actions. Instead, they are a last resort after all legal and conciliatory options have been exhausted. He pointed out that such industrial actions often arise from the government’s failure to honor negotiated terms and uphold labor laws.
The union leader also criticized what he called the “selective enforcement” of labor statutes. While government officials are quick to threaten workers with wage stoppages, they remain silent when the state violates Section 15 of the Labour Act by delaying or withholding salaries for extended periods. “The selective enforcement of ‘No Work, No Pay’ while ignoring ‘No Pay, No Work’ is hypocritical, unjust and contrary to the principles of equity,” he said.
International Labour Standards and Workers’ Rights
Adeyemi reminded the government that Nigeria, as a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is bound by global labor standards that recognize the right to strike as an essential element of freedom of association. He cited ILO Conventions 87 and 98, arguing that punitive actions against workers engaging in lawful strikes violate international norms. “When officials threaten to invoke ‘No Work, No Pay’ without acknowledging their own breach of agreements, they act contrary to both Nigerian law and international conventions,” he stated.
He also accused the government of provoking the very strikes it condemns. Adeyemi questioned why officials who brandish legal threats disappear when workers face prolonged unpaid wages, deteriorating conditions, and crumbling infrastructure. “To label workers’ legitimate struggles as acts of rebellion is to deny the very foundation of social justice,” he declared.
The Resilience of Nigerian Workers
Adeyemi painted a broader picture of the resilience of Nigerian workers. He noted that no group has shown more patriotism than the country’s labor force. “It is the worker who builds, maintains and sustains the nation despite poor pay and unstable conditions. Their children attend overcrowded public schools, not foreign institutions,” he said. He added that workers carry the burden of every industrial dispute yet return diligently to restore normalcy when strikes end.
Path to Industrial Peace
NASU insisted that the path to lasting industrial peace lies not in intimidation but in institutionalizing collective bargaining and honoring agreements voluntarily signed with unions. Adeyemi called for stronger commitment from the government to due process and genuine dialogue, stating that existing labor laws and ILO conventions already provide a solid framework for harmonious relations.
In a direct message to officials who repeatedly threaten workers, he said: “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.”
Conclusion
Adeyemi maintained that Nigeria cannot achieve industrial harmony through coercion but through mutual trust and adherence to both local and international labor standards. “It is time for the nation to rise above intimidation and embrace fairness, justice and collective dialogue as the pillars of a democratic labor relations system,” he concluded.