Workers on the payroll of the Federal Government who obey the order by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, to stay away from work will not be paid, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir David Lawal, has said.
Lawal made this known on Tuesday when he directed all ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies to invoke the provision of “no work no pay” in respect of workers who participate in the planned strike by a faction of the union.
The SGF advised workers to shun the NLC order in their own interest because the government will not hesitate to apply the policy.
He further urged security agencies to beef up security and ensure the union does not intimidate civil servants from gaining access to their offices.
Lawal, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the industrial action is illegal because the FG got an order from the industrial court against the exercise.
“Government undertakes to guarantee the safety of workers and their work places, and expects that normal work will continue in the interest of the nation. Accordingly, security agencies have been directed to ensure unimpeded access to offices, work places and markets.
“Acts of intimidation, harassment, including barricading of gates, locking up of offices, blocking of roads and preventing workers from carrying out their lawful duties will be met with appropriate response by the law enforcement agencies,” he said in the statement.
He added that, “All workers, whether in public or private sector are further reminded of the Trade Dispute Act, 2004, which provides that ‘where any worker takes part in a strike, he shall not be entitled to any wages or remuneration for the period of the strike and any such period shall not count for the purpose of reckoning the period of continuous employment and all rights dependent on continuity of employment shall be prejudicially affected accordingly.
