The Federal Government has ordered Vice-chancellors to strictly implement the ‘No work, No-pay’ policy in respect of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who began a 14-day warning strike on Monday.
Meanwhile lecturers, who are members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), are, however, exempted from the order for not joining the strike.
The order is contained in a circular Education Minister Tunji Alausa sent to the affected vice-chancellors in which the government directed them to carry out physical headcounts of lecturers who report for work.
The circular reads in part: “The Federal Ministry of Education views with dissatisfaction the reports of the ongoing industrial action declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) despite repeated calls for the union to embrace constructive dialogue as the most effective and sustainable path toward resolving all outstanding issues in the tertiary education sector.
“In line with extant 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.
“Accordingly, all vice-chancellors of federal universities are hereby directed to ensure strict application of this provision, which requires immediate actions as follows:
“Conduct a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff in your institution;
“Submit a comprehensive report, clearly indicating staff who are present and performing their official duties, and those absent or participating in the strike; and
“Ensure that salary payment for the period of work stoppage is withheld from those who fail to perform their duties.
“For the avoidance of doubt, academic staff who are members of CONUA and NAMDA, who are not participating in the strike action, are exempted from this directive and shall not be subjected to any form of salary withholding.
“The NUC will monitor compliance with this directive and submit a consolidated report to the ministry within seven days of receipt of this circular.’’
