No-Work-No-Pay Policy Will Worsen the Crisis – ASUU

The Delta State University Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) warned that implementing the 'No-Work-No-Pay' rule would escalate the industrial crisis in public universities and make things even worse.

Dr. Emmanuel Mordi, the Chairman of the chapter, said in Asaba on October 30, 2013, Wednesday that the state government was planning to implement the policy for the first time.

"When the strike is called off, lecturers will say: 'No pay, no work'. It does not help anybody; it can only escalate the crisis.

"It is unfortunate that ASUU is at the receiving end, as the government, being stronger, has the power to withhold ASUU members' salaries, he said.

He said that ASUU was willing to call off the strike and would do so as soon as the Federal Government showed more commitment.

"We are anxious to call off the strike, but the government said we should wait for so many months.

"What we must note is that our students are also our children. Some lecturers are also students; so, this is a very painful surgical operation, which we have to carry out in the best interest of our future generation."

It would be mentioned that the state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, had urged ASUU members to return to classroom or face implementation of the policy.

Also the Adamawa chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said the lingering strike by university teachers in the country could destroy the nation's tertiary education.

"The government and ASUU should take responsibility for the sad development. Many groups and individuals, including religious leaders and traditional rulers, have appealed to them but all have been in vain," the Chairman of the Association, Rev. Moses Taparki said.

"For the rigid positions the government and the university teachers have maintained on the matter, I maintain that both parties must take full responsibility for the damage the strike has done to the system," he added.

It would be mentioned that ASUU strike lasts for 121 days.