NLC rebuffs FG’s threat of activitation of `No- work- no pay rule

The Organised Labour says the threat by the Federal Government
to activate the “no-work- no pay’’ rule clause, will be a negation
of workers’ right of association.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba,
made the assertion in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Wabba’s reaction followed the Federal Executive Council’s
approval on Wednesday to apply the `no work, no pay’ principle
during strike.

According to Wabba, the right to strike is a human and trade
union right and cannot be wished away by any government policy.

“That’s why strike is legalised by our laws and has been
exercised since colonial era to date.

“The right to strike is what differentiates a worker from a
slave; just like the right to strike, right to picketing the right
to work to rule, right to protest and peaceful assembly.

“So, the issue of no work no pay has always existed. It is
morally and legally wrong to apply a phrase in a body of law
without respecting all other provisions of the same law.

“Same law provides that a worker’s wage is due after 30 days;
where this and or any collective bargaining agreement is violated,
it is legally and morally justifiable for unions and workers to
apply “no pay no work,’’ he said.

The NLC president said the threat to no-work-no-pay would not
deter workers and trade unions from exercising the right to
strike.

Wabba stressed that there were clear procedures provided by law
on how workers can embark on a strike, saying “once this legal
requirement is met, no- work- no pay rule cannot apply.”