IN what seems an acceptance of defeat in the legal tussle between the Plateau State Government and the State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Governor Jonah Jang, at the weekend, announced a ceasefire, agreeing to settle the dispute out of court.
Local government workers went on strike for more than six months. It was suspended only when matters came to a head, forcing the Minister of Labour and Productivity to intervene.
While the state government insisted on a 'no work no pay' principle, the workers said such does not exist in labour law as enunciated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other labour conventions. They insisted that their full salaries, during the strike, be paid.
Jang resolved to settle the dispute out of court but said the Industrial Court needs to interpret what the 'no work, no pay' policy means.
He made this known through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Edward Pwajok, at the hearing between the parties at the National Industrial Court, Abuja.
Pwajok told the court that government and labour will amicably resolve issues on the outstanding arrears of affected workers, but prayed the court to state, in clear terms, whether workers can go on strike without proper notice and clarify issues about payment of salaries during a strike.
"The issue of four month's arrears is an issue of 'no work, no pay'. It is a very contentious matter. And if the court says that law is not applicable, we will pay. If the court says we are right, they will know the law."
He said Plateau State Government has been committed, since assumption of office in 2007, to payment of salaries, wondering why the unions would drag their employers into industrial disharmony.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, admonished the workers, through counsel to the respondent, Gani Adetola Kashim, to shift their ground and understand the plight of government towards overcoming the industrial crisis.
Adejumo commended Plateau State Government for its intention to resolve the dispute once and for all.
The matter was adjourned to April 25.
The Guardian