The Federal Government has commenced payment of the 8-month salary backlog to lecturers under the aegis of Congress of University Academics (CONUA), the breakaway faction of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
This development is coming after members of the National Executive Council of ASUU concluded arrangements to hold an emergency meeting with a view to addressing “half salaries” paid to them.
According to Daily Trust, a member of CONUA and lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, who spoke anonymously on Sunday night, said the leadership of the union has already got a hint from the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.
The lecturer also said the minister has assured members of the new union that they would start receiving alerts as from Monday, adding that he also pledged that the issue of “half salaries” paid to them would be resolved.
“We were not part of the last strike. We had earlier written to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. So, the minister has looked into our letter, and he has directed accordingly,” the official said.
The National Coordinator of CONUA, Niyi Sunmonu, could not be reached as calls to his mobile phone did not connect as at when filing this report.
The spokesman of the Minister, Olajide Oshundun, when contacted said CONUA members would be paid provided they were not part of the strike that lasted eight months.
Oshundun maintained that those who participated in the strike would not be paid since the policy of No-work-no-pay’ still remains.
“What I can tell you authoritatively as a spokesperson is that, the policy of ‘No-work-no-pay’ remains. It has not changed because it is a constitutional matter. It is equally recognised by the Charter of ILO, that when people go on strike, they cannot be paid.
“So, if CONUA did not go on strike, they’re entitled to their money. But if they participated in the strike, they too will not be paid. If they were not on strike, legally and conditionally, they are entitled to their pay. I’m looking at it from the point of law,” he said.
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