The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has warned the federal government against the implementation of the “no work, no pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, who started a two-week warning strike on Monday.
The NLC described the policy as “unproductive.”
It said rather, the federal government should urgently find solution to the problem upon which ASUU had embarked on a warning strike.
In a statement by its president, Mr. Joe Ajaero, NLC threatened to mobilise all workers across the country against the government if it refused to grant ASUU’s request.
The statement by the NLC reads in part: “This struggle extends beyond an isolated industrial dispute. It reflects a broader societal issue. While the children of the elite attend private institutions or study abroad, the children of the working class and the poor are left in a public education system being systematically weakened.
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“This creates an educational divide that limits social mobility and perpetuates inequality. An educated populace is essential for a progressive nation, and the current approach appears designed to reserve quality education as a commodity for the privileged few.
“In light of this, the Nigeria Labour Congress hereby declares its full solidarity with ASUU and all other unions in the tertiary education sector. Consequently, we state the following:
“We call on the Federal Government to immediately set aside its threats and address the core issues in the negotiated agreements with ASUU.
“We serve notice that if, after this two-week warning strike, the government remains unresponsive, the NLC will not stand idly by.
“The NLC will convene an emergency meeting with its affiliates in the tertiary education sector to develop a comprehensive strategy for engaging the government.
“The struggle of ASUU is our struggle. The fight for public education is a fight for Nigeria’s future. We will no longer allow these unions to stand alone.
“We demand that the Federal Government use this two-week window to present a concrete plan for the full implementation of all agreements.
“The choice is clear: honour the agreements and salvage public education, or face the resolute and unified force of the entire Nigerian workforce.”
