The National Industrial Court in Abuja has upheld the ‘no work no pay’ rule by the Federal Government in the suit filed against the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

In a judgment delivered by the President of the Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, the court held that it was within the right of the Federal Government to withhold the salaries of workers who embark on industrial action.

It held that the ‘no work no pay’ rule enforced by the Federal Government against members of ASUU who went on strike last year was legal.

However, the court held that it was a violation of university autonomy for the Federal Government to impose the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System platform on members of ASUU who reserve the right to determine how their salaries should be paid.

The Federal Government had dragged ASUU before the NIC over the demand of the union for the payment of their salaries from February 14 to October 7, 2022, when the strike was called off.

ASUU had insisted on getting salaries for all the months they were on strike but the FG under the past Muhammadu Buhari-led administration refused and insisted on enforcing its “no work, no pay” policy against the lecturers.

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