The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has adjourned the suit filed by the Federal Government challenging the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) till the 16th of September.
Presiding judge justice Hamman said he was only a vacation judge as the case would be assigned to another judge for adjudication.
The Federal government has approached the National industrial court for an Interpretation of the provisions of Section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act with respect to Payment of Wages During Strikes and Lockouts” specifically dealing with the rights of employers and employees/workers during the period of any strike or lock-out.
It is asking the court, can ASUU or any union that embarked on strike be asking to be paid salaries even with the clear provision of the Law.
The Federal government also wants the Interpretation in its entirety of the provisions of Section 18, LFN 2004 especially as it applies to the cessation of the strike once a trade dispute is apprehended by the Minister of Labour end Employment and conciliation is ongoing.