Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige noted that Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act 2004 and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) statutes permit the government to stop the salaries of workers when they are on strike.
He warned the government would not hesitate to invoke the laws if the unions fail to observe the rules guiding social dialogue.
Ngige said that the ongoing strike by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions (NASU), contravened Nigeria’s labour laws and the statutes of ILO.
The Minister noted that declaration of strike during negotiation was an act of intimidation, not allowed in labour negotiations, as doing so, employees are tying the hands of the employers to the back.
According to him, federal government is permitted by Law to stop payment of wages during the period of strike, as It is clearly stated in the Trade Dispute act of 2004.
