ASUU: We’ll No Longer Tolerate Strikes That Don’t Follow Due Process - FG Warns

Chris Ngige

The Federal government has stated that it will no longer tolerate strike actions that do not follow due process.

This is coming after the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU embarked on strike action for eight months.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, issued the warning after receiving an ‘award of excellence conferred on him by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) at the 42nd annual general meeting/scientific conference of the association.

The government stated that before an industrial action, social dialogue should be explored first.

A statement released by his media aide, Olajide Oshundun, quotes the Minister as saying;

“The federal government will no longer tolerate a strike that does not pass through due process. Any group that embarks on strike will be visited with section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act (TDA), Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.

It says that when a worker goes on strike, especially those on essential services, the employer can also refuse to pay compensation or wages which accompanies work done.

The due process of a strike is that social dialogue negotiation with employers should be explored first.

In the event of failure, the federal ministry of labour and employment office in the affected state or FCT should be notified and, finally, a trade dispute notice (TDN) served.”

He advised all aggrieved unions to emulate the doctors and commence proactive discussions with the federal government rather than resort to strike whenever issues arose.