The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), has condemned the Federal Government’s decision to implement the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy.
In a statement issued by its National President, Nuhu Ogirima on Friday, the group, however, said it will not be intimidated by the decision.
It criticized the Federal Government for its “failure to deliver good governance, by addressing our issues and, indeed, those of the larger populace” adding that it rather chose to threaten workers with the policy.
RELATED
No Agreement Yet On New Minimum Wage – FG
Minimum Wage: Labour Faults FG, Insists Tripartite Committee Concluded Its Work
“This grandstanding is a mark of not only insensitivity but also irresponsibility towards the law-abiding labour force of our dear country,” the group said.
“Recall that we have been receiving fractional/mutilated salaries for years in all Federal Colleges of Education, especially because of the non-inclusion of PAA. Where salaries are paid, it is the cooperative societies membership subscriptions and Unions’ dues that are being used to service/augment government allocation for salaries.
“So, if we didn’t threaten government ‘no pay no work, why would government threaten us with no work no pay because we’re now requesting government to pay us full salary, by the strike?” the group asked.
Their comments follow the lingering controversy over the national minimum wage.
Director of Trade Union Services at the Ministry of Labour, Mrs Omabie Akpan, who had made an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, insisted that the government would implement the “no work, no pay policy”.
According to her, it is wrong for labour leaders to embark on an industrial action while negotiations are ongoing.
But the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, argued that it is a fundamental right of workers to embark on strikes as enshrined in the labour laws.
The labour unions had earlier embarked on an industrial action over the alleged failure of the government to reach a conclusion on the national minimum wage.
Although the strike was later suspended, and subsequent meetings were held, the Federal Government insisted that it had not reached an agreement.
The NLC in a swift reaction, faulted the claims, adding that the tripartite committee after its meeting on October 11, adopted a figure through a formal motion moved, seconded and adopted in the absence of any counter motion.
The workers are demanding an upward review of the minimum wage from N18,000.
