The Taraba State Government has issued a formal reminder to striking university unions at the State University, Jalingo, reiterating its enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy during the ongoing industrial action.
In a notice on Wednesday, addressed to the Vice Chancellor of the University and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, branch of the institution, the government referenced provisions of the Trade Union Disputes Act, specifically Section 43, which states that employers, particularly government institutions, are not obligated to pay wages to employees who participate in strike actions.
According to the statement signed by the commissioner of tertiary institutions, Mike Dio, the law clearly stipulates that workers who withdraw their services during a strike are not entitled to salaries for the duration of the industrial action.
Additionally, the period spent on strike, according to the statement, will not be considered part of pensionable service.
The government explained that the reminder became necessary after a series of negotiations and mediation efforts between authorities and the striking unions failed to produce a resolution that would allow academic activities to resume.
“As negotiations and mediation have not yielded the desired outcome for the striking university unions to return to work, the government has no option but to invoke the relevant section of the Act,” the notice stated.
Despite the firm stance, the government also made an appeal to the unions to reconsider their position and suspend the strike in the interest of students and the academic community.
Authorities emphasized that suspending the industrial action would help restore smooth academic operations at the university and prevent further disruption to the academic calendar.
The communication concluded with assurances of the state government’s regards and goodwill, while urging union leaders to cooperate in resolving the dispute and reopening the institution for normal academic activities.
The ongoing strike, as noticed by DAILY POST has continued to affect academic programs at the university, leaving many students uncertain about when lectures and other academic activities will resume.
ASUU strike: Taraba gov’t insists on ‘no work, no pay’ policy
