The fathomless demand of ASUU that the federal government pay its members for work not done while on strike is indicative of where we stand and our attitude toward the commonwealth.
How a union of intellectuals is capable of articulating and expressing such an outrageous and shameless demand is mind-boggling.
Unfortunately, the frenzy to get ASUU back into the classrooms may not allow the federal government to call the bluff of ASUU. How dare ASUU threaten to go on another strike because the federal government will not acquit to the brazen disregard of the law?
How does the payment of half salaries to members of ASUU amount to the casualisation of lecturers’ work? Who says only wages can be paid pro rata? At any rate, how does refusal to pay for work not done amount to the casualisation of work? Permanent, temporary, contract and casual workers are all paid for work done. The failure of employees to offer services frees an employer from the obligation to pay wages and salaries.
The defining characteristic of casual work is its seasonal or irregular demand by an employer which necessitates payment on a pro-rata basis. It is not the susceptibility of wages to proration because salaries can also be paid pro-rata.
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No law forbids employers from pro rata payment of salaries. Employers are generally permitted by the spirit of the law to prorate remuneration following the work done. After all, what is being remunerated if not the work done? Casual work is also called contingent work because it is not a permanent feature of operations. The engagement of casual workers is contingent on operations needs. These are the defining features of casual work and not the proration of wages.
It is therefore embarrassing for ASUU to deliberately distort the concept of casual work in defence of its demand. To know that this is coming from a union of intellectuals compounds the shame and hopelessness of Nigerians. Ordinarily, ASSU should be championing the fight against the pervading lawlessness in our polity.
ASUU should be innovative in resolving issues instead of always spoiling for ‘war’ and brandishing its bargaining power. ASUU should seek a face-saving and win-win solution.
ASUU may therefore access the option of negotiating the conversion of its members’ accumulated unavailed leave days to cover the period of the strike action, enabling them to be paid but forfeiting observing earned leave days.
I cannot think of any other avenue of ASUU getting paid that is not daylight robbery of our commonwealth.
