FEC Approves Introduction Of No Work, No Pay” Rule

The Federal Executive council has approved a draft white paper to enforce some labour reforms including the "No work, No pay rule.

Government's action follows a report by a technical committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to look into matters of industrial relations in the federal public service.

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Briefing state House correspondents after Wednesday's cabinet meeting at the Presidential villa, Abuja, Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige said the approval of the white paper would also enforce section 43 of the trade dispute Act of the Federation which addresses issues of employer/employee engagement.

Under the act which government now seeks to implement, employers cannot lock out their employees without declaring redundancy, while workers who go on strike would not be paid for the period of the industrial action.

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Government has also moved to check the practice of some public sector employees who engage in trade unionism. Under the new labour reforms, public sector workers who hold positions in trade unions will do so within stipulated time not more than two tenures.The practice of skipping in the public health sector has been abolished just as resident doctors are now expected to round off their residency programme within seven years.

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Consequently, medical doctors and other workers in the public health sector are no longer allowed to engage in private practice while still on the payroll of government.

On the new minimum wage, Ngige says negotiations are still on to come out with an acceptable wage that will be fair to all parties.