November 9, 2025
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has called on government officials to end the misuse of the “No Work, No Pay” policy, describing it as unjust and inconsistent with principles of fair Labour relations.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi, said the repeated threats by government representatives to invoke the policy were “unjust and contrary to fair labour practice.”
Adeyemi explained that the “No Work, No Pay” clause, often cited from Section 42(1)(a) of the Trade Disputes Act, has been misapplied to suppress legitimate industrial actions by workers seeking justice and equity.
“The ‘No Work, No Pay’ provision was never designed as a weapon of oppression. It should not be used to criminalise lawful struggles for fairness, dignity, and the fulfillment of agreements,” he stated.
He noted that strikes are not impulsive decisions but the last resort after all conciliatory options have failed, adding that poor Labour relations and neglect of agreements often push workers to act.
Adeyemi condemned what he termed the “selective enforcement” of the rule, asking:
“Where were these same officials when workers went for months without pay?
The enforcement of ‘No Work, No Pay’ without ‘No Pay, No Work’ is unjust and one-sided.”
Citing the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, Adeyemi said the right to strike is a fundamental part of freedom of association and collective bargaining, both cornerstones of effective Labour relations.
He stressed that penalising workers for lawful strikes violates international labour standards and Nigeria’s own laws.
“Workers’ struggles should not be seen as rebellion but as a cry for justice and dignity. No one is more patriotic than the Nigerian worker, who continues to build and sustain the nation despite low pay and unfulfilled promises,” he said.
Adeyemi urged the government to institutionalise collective bargaining, respect agreements with unions, and promote industrial peace through transparent Labour relations.
He concluded that industrial harmony cannot be achieved through threats or coercion but through mutual respect, dialogue, and adherence to the law. Visit GMTNewsng for more news.
