FG wins ‘No Work No Pay’ lawsuit against ASUU

The National Industrial Court has upheld the no work no pay rule by the Federal Government in the suit filed against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). 

 According to the court, the no work no pay rule enforced by the Federal Government against members of ASUU who went on strike last year is legal. 

 The President of the Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, in his Judgement said the court is within the right of the Federal Government to withhold salaries of workers who embark on industrial action. Justice Benedict Kanpiq held that in line with section 43(1a) of the Trade Union Act, members of ASUU who participated in the 8 months long strike are not entitled to salaries.

 Although employers and workers can enter an agreement, for which the workers will be paid during the period of strike, when such agreement was not made, no worker is expected to get paid.

 Imposing sanctions on leaders for leading a legal strike is a gross violation to their right to freedom of expression.

 The court however held that it is a violation of University Autonomy for the Federal Government to impose the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform on members of ASUU who reserve the right to determine how their salaries should be paid. 

 The Federal Government took ASUU before the National Industrial Court over the demand of the Union for the payment of lecturer salaries from February 14 to October 7, 2022, which was when the strike took place.