The secretary to the government of the federation Engr. Babachir Lawal stated this in a press release late on Tuesday 17th May, 2016. Lawal, in the statement on Tuesday evening, said that the federal government will guarantee the safety of workers and their work places and said he expects that normal work activities will continue in the best interest of the country.
Lawal while noting that acts of intimidation, harassment, arrising from barricading of gates, locking up of offices and preventing workers from carrying out their lawful duties will be met with appropriate response by security agencies who has been directed to maintain law and order to prevent any form harassment from the Labour union who has insisted on going ahead with the planned strike despite a National Industrial Court rule against the proposed strike action.
In line with this,the federal government has also directed all ministers, permanent secretaries and top government functioneries to apply the provision of “no work no pay” in respect of any civil servant who is absent from duty by this morning. The directive also goes to private organisation and firms to instruct all their staff to report to work without any fear of harassment or intimidation from any union or individuals.
Meanwhile the Ajaero led faction of the NLC has declared that it will not participate in the planned strike scheduled to start today 18th May 2016. The Electricity Union President said it will not join in an illegal strike action, adding that it has reached an agreement with representative of the federal government to resolve the issues raised on the conditions for embarking on the proposed strike. He says the faction is entering into dialogues with the FG to arrive at an amicable resolution to the crises.
The Press release from the secretary to the federal government reads.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION
PRESS RELEASE
PROPOSED INDEFINITE STRIKE ACTION BY THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS
The attention of all Public Officers is drawn to the notice issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to embark on an indefinite strike from Wednesday, 18th May, 2016.
This notice is regrettably given in spite of an Order by the Industrial Court against the strike action.
Government, therefore, calls upon and advises all workers to respect the laws of the land and to desist from participating in an illegal strike action.
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.
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’.
Accordingly, all Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Government Agencies are hereby directed to invoke the provision of ‘no work no pay’ in respect of any staff who absents him or herself from work to join the strike action.
Attendance registers are required to be opened in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Signed..
Engineer Babachir David Lawal
Secretary to the Government of the Federation
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