FG Orders Varsity VCs to Enforce ‘No Work, No Pay’ on Striking ASUU Members

The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of federal universities across the country to strictly enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) participating in the ongoing nationwide strike.

According to the document, copies of the circular were sent to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Permanent Secretary of Education, Pro-Chancellors of all Federal Universities, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The Ministry of Education expressed concern over ASUU’s continued industrial action despite repeated invitations for dialogue, stressing that the government would no longer tolerate violations of existing labour laws.

 “In line with the provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation, the Federal Government reiterates its position on the enforcement of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy in respect of any employee who fails to discharge his or her official duties during the period of strike action,” the circular stated.

Dr. Alausa directed all vice-chancellors to conduct an immediate roll call and physical headcount of academic staff in their respective institutions and submit a detailed report identifying those present and those participating in the strike.

He further instructed that salary payments be withheld for any academic staff found to be absent from duty during the strike period.

However, the directive exempts members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), as both unions are not part of the current industrial action.

The minister also tasked the NUC to monitor compliance across all federal universities and submit a consolidated report to the ministry within seven days.

Please, treat this matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in national interest,” Alausa urged.

This comes after the Federal Government had earlier warned that it would invoke the “No Work, No Pay” rule if ASUU failed to suspend its strike.

ASUU had on Sunday announced a total and comprehensive warning strike beginning Monday, October 13, over unresolved issues with the government, including the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of withheld salaries, and improved funding of public universities.

The union is also demanding the release of third-party deductions, payment of promotion arrears, and an end to the alleged victimisation of lecturers in universities such as LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.