Labour Strike: Nasarawa Govt Says ‘No Work, No Pay’

The Nasarawa State government, following the organise labour strike in the state has invoked the ‘no-work-no-pay’ policy in state.

Recall, the Nigeria Labour Congress together with the Trade Union Congress had commenced an indefinite strike action in the state on Tuesday. 

The strike action, according to the unions was to protest the poor treatment of workers by the state government. 

The State Chairman of NLC, Yusuf Iya had alleged that workers in the state have been stagnated without promotion since 2018.

They had also noted their grievances to include; lack of training for employees, non-payment of gratuities, non payment of local government staff including primary school teachers, and non-implementation of N30,000 minimum wage.

However, the state government has directed Permanent Secretaries to open attendance registers in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the State; as the Government has also resolved to invoke the principles of “No-Work-No-Pay”.

This directive was contained in a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu.

The statement explained that the government, in order to address issues raised, had set up various Committees to look into the implementation of promotions, minimum wage, percentage payment of salaries and pension as well as arrears of salaries inherited from the previous administration.

It stated, “Despite the lean resources accruing to the State and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the national and global economy, the government fulfilled its obligations by consistent payment of 100 per cent salaries and pension to the State Civil Servants, payments of two (2) tranches of the 2016 arrears and full implementation of new minimum wage among others.

“Consequent upon the above endeavour, the government is dismayed by the action of the Organised Labour to embark on the indefinite strike action, especially the picketing of offices thereby depriving workers of gaining access to their offices.

“This is in spite of concerted efforts by the government to remedy the situation through amicable resolutions.”

According to statement, while the government is not opposed to the strike action embarked by the labour, it enjoined them to operate within the confine of the Law.

The Government commended the patriotism of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for refusing to participate in the strike action.

“Government observed with concern, the arbitrary action of the organised labour by denying workers who are unwilling to join the strike access to their offices

“Government expresses its desire for continuous engagement and dialogue with the Organised Labour. In this regard, an 11-Man High Powered Committee has been constituted;

“Government has directed the Security Agencies to deploy personnel to man all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in order to maintain Law and Order in the State;

“Government has also taken a position to seek legal interpretation of the action of the Organised Labour through the Industrial Court,” it stated.