The Federal Government has stated that it will meet with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) for adjudication regarding the strike's extension.
Dr Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, stated this on Sunday in Abuja in a letter to the NICN Registrar dated September 8.
Ngige stated this in a statement signed by Olajide Oshundun, the ministry's Head of Press and Public Relations, and made available to journalists.
He stated that the referral mechanism was required due to the lack of talks between the union and the Federal Ministry of Education.
He said that the topic is scheduled for discussion at 9 a.m. on Sept. 12.
”The Federal Government has asked the NICN to inquire into the legality or otherwise of the ongoing prolonged strike by ASUU leadership and members that had continued even after apprehension.
“It asked the court to interpret in its entirety the provisions of Section 18 LFN 2004, especially as it applies to the cessation of strike once a trade dispute is apprehended by the Minister of Labour and Employment and conciliation is ongoing,” he said.
He also said that the NICN are to interpret the provisions of Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, Cap T8. LFN 2004, titled “Special Provision with Respect to payment of wages during strikes and lock-outs”.
Ngige said this ”specifically dealing with the rights of employees/workers during the period of any strike or lock-out.
”Can ASUU or any other union that embarked on strike be asking to be paid salaries even with clear provisions of the law.
“Determine whether ASUU members are entitled to emoluments or ‘strike pay’ during their period of strike, which commenced on Feb. 14.
”Moreso, in view of our national law as provided in Section 43 of the TDA and the International Labour Principles on the right to strike as well as the decisions of the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association on the subject,” he said.
