Senator Ita Enang, a former legislator and ex-presidential aide, has called on the Federal Government to initiate contempt proceedings against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in response to their ongoing strike.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Enang, a senior member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), contended that ASUU’s current industrial action violates an existing court injunction which stipulates that university lecturers are not entitled to receive salaries during strike periods.
ASUU commenced a two-week warning strike on October 13, aiming to press for longstanding demands such as enhanced funding for universities, institutional autonomy, and the release of withheld salaries.
Enang asserted that the strike is essentially an effort to pressure the Federal Government into disregarding the court’s directive.
“Their strike is designed to force the government into breaching a court order,” he remarked.
“Anyone who chooses to strike must accept that, according to the governing laws, they forfeit their wages for the duration of the strike.”
He compared this to international labor standards, highlighting that in countries like Canada and Australia, unions maintain strike funds to support members during work stoppages since employees do not receive pay from their employers during such times.
“My recommendation to ASUU is to suspend the strike and resume academic activities while continuing negotiations with the government,” Enang advised.
He also underscored the government’s obligation not only to the union but to the students, whose education and prospects are continually jeopardized by recurrent strikes.
“ASUU must recognize that striking carries consequences. The law is explicit-no work means no pay. They should revisit the court’s judgment, particularly paragraph two, which clearly states that strike periods are excluded from wage calculations.”
Enang further noted that the Federal Ministry of Education has addressed all major concerns raised by ASUU with considerable commitment, questioning the justification for the renewed strike threat.
Referencing international labor agreements and Nigeria’s Trade Disputes Act, he reaffirmed that the “no work, no pay” principle is both lawful and aligned with global best practices.
He cautioned that any attempt by the Federal Government to remunerate lecturers for the strike period would itself constitute contempt of court.
“The government must avoid any appearance of colluding with ASUU in violating the law. The court’s interpretation of Section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act clearly addresses wage payments during strikes or lockouts,” he explained.
Enang commended the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for instructing Vice Chancellors to withhold salaries from striking lecturers in accordance with the no-work-no-pay policy.
“I encourage the Minister to take further action by filing contempt charges against ASUU. This would reinforce the imperative that court rulings are upheld.”
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of productive dialogue while insisting that all parties must operate within the confines of the law.
