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Tag: Strike

  • Kogi doctors set for indefinite strike as 21-day ultimatum expires

    Kogi doctors set for indefinite strike as 21-day ultimatum expires

    The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH), Lokoja, has called the attention of the State Government to the expiration of the 21 days ultimatum given to it to meet its demands.

    The association had on Aug. 9, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Kogi Government to meet its demands or be ready for an indefinite strike action, after suspending its two-day industrial action directed by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

    The ultimatum was to give room for dialogue and engagement with the state government.

    The notification was given in a statement jointly signed by the ARD KSSH’s President, Dr Ameh Friday; and Secretary General, Dr Peter Samuel, and made available to journalists on Saturday in Lokoja.

    “The ARD KSSH, wishes to state that today, makes it 21 days since its last communique and one month since it suspended its industrial action as directed by the National Body – NARD – for government to look into the some of its pressing demands as listed below.

    “Having examined the inertia that has greeted our requests also keeping in view of our previous failure to join the national directive to suspend service delivery because of our commitment to the client and State Government which unfortunately has never been appreciated.

    “We will like to remind government of our modest demands once more.

    “Upward review of CONMESS 2014 to CONMESS 2023, and approval of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023).

    “Review of hazard allowance as released by the National Salary, Income and Wages Commission, 22nd December, 2021, and implementation and cash backing of promotion as well as the statutory Annual Increments with payment of arrears of both annual increments and promotion,” it said.

    “The association stressed that the statement would serve as a reminder of the association’s initial communique.

    “The association emphasised that the moral and psychic of its members in the Kogi State Specialist Hospital is at an all time low with respect to their concerns, unfortunately, the Hospital working environment, coupled with the unpalatable economic realities have further worsened the already sour situation.

    “The ARD will convoke a Congress meeting in seven days from now to have an appraisal of the progress made so far and take a decision on all its demands,” the association said.

  • Why NLC is embarking on nationwide strike from Sept 5

    Why NLC is embarking on nationwide strike from Sept 5

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it will commence a two-day nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5 to 6,except the Federal Government addresses the excruciating suffering of the masses.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this while addressing  newsmen at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the congress on Friday in Abuja.

    Ajaero while reading the communiqué jointly signed by Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Congress, said the resolutions were reached after exhaustive deliberation.

    According to him, NEC in session resolved to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today.

    “This is until steps are taken by the Government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country.

    “To commence a two-day nationwide warning strike on Tuesday and Wednesday from Sept.5 to 6  to demonstrate our readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month .

    “To also demand that the State vacates the illegally occupied National Headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

    “To embark on a mass protest and rally in Imo within September in preparation for a major shutdown of the state.

    “This is to compel the State government to stop the abuse and violation of the rights and privileges of workers and trade unions in the state, ’he said.

    He also added that to begin the shutdown of the operations of Air peace Airline, and other companies in the Aviation sector that were involved in serial violation of the rights of workers in the sector.

    The NLC president said this was to ensure freedom of Association and to collectively bargain.

    He called on communities around the nation to stop taking laws into their hands but report to the authorities for amicable resolution.

    He said that this was on any matter involving members of the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuffs, and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) which is one of our affiliates.

    He urged the new FCT Minister, Mr Nyesome Wike  to desist from threatening poor masses with demolition of their properties, and focus more on making houses available to the people.

    “He is not a minister of demolition and should be prepared to meet Nigerian workers and citizens on the street if he carries out his insensitive utterances,” ‘he said.

    Ajaero said  that NEC had deeply analysed the prevailing national sentiment, taking into account the extensive hardships and deprivation afflicting the citizens across all states of the federation.

    He said the council scrutinised the Federal Government’s failures to establish essential structures to address the widespread suffering in our nation.

    He also noted that it considered the government’s deliberate neglect and disregard for engaging with national stakeholders through the channels of social dialogue.

    “This is a commitment it had solemnly declared during the President’s inaugural address on May 29,”he said.

  • Zamfara NMA suspends strike

    Zamfara NMA suspends strike

    Medical doctors in Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital (ASYBSH) Gusau in Zamfara have suspended their plan to embark on an indefinite strike on Sept. 4.

    This is contained in a statement on Friday by the state branch of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), signed by the State Chairman, Dr Sanusi Bello and Secretary, Dr Murtala Shinkafi.

    Recall that the medical doctors had fixed Sept. 4 to begin indefinite strike over non payment of theif salaries and allowances by the state government.

    “This is to notify the general public that the industrial strike planned by doctors of ASYBSH has been suspended.”

    The doctors said that the industrial dispute has been resolved amicably by the state government to the satisfaction of the state NMA.

    “All the outstanding salaries of the affected doctors have been settled,” the doctors said in the statement.

    They added that preparations had reached advanced stage to settle the outstanding allowances of visiting consultants and Professors, as well as the issue of third party deductions.

    They appreciated the intervention of Gov. Dauda Lawal, Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Nakwada, Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, Nigeria Labour Congress and the media, in resolving the issues in contention.

  • NMA suspends strike, gives C/River govt. 2 weeks to rescue member

    NMA suspends strike, gives C/River govt. 2 weeks to rescue member

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Cross River chapter, has suspended its strike embarked upon on July 16, after the abduction of one of its members, Prof. Ekanem Ephraim.

    This was disclosed by Dr. Felix Archibong, Chairman of NMA chapter after an emergency general meeting by the association on Saturday in Calabar.

    Archibong said that they gave the state government two weeks to rescue their colleague after which they would meet again to review the actions of government, to determine the next line of action.

    “Following a letter of appeal from Gov. Bassey Otu, advice of the national president of the association and for the sake of many of the citizens who are suffering, we have suspended the strike to give government time to rescue our member.

    “This action has been carried out despite the fact that our member has not been released; however, if any of our member is kidnapped again, we will go back to strike.

    “We are appealing to security agents to step up and maintain the momentum that has been established in the last few weeks, which has reduced cases of kidnapping in the state,” he said.

    Speaking further, the chairman said the association prayed that the abducted doctor was returned alive but if the opposite happened, there should be modalities by the government for necessary closure of the matter.

    He said this would be to allow the family to mourn the deceased and for the government to do the necessary thing for those she had left behind.

    He called on members of the  public with valuable information that would lead to the rescue of the abducted neurologist to come forward as the governor had placed a bounty of N5 million on the kidnappers.

    Prof. Ekanem Ephraim, a Neurologist with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), was abducted on July 13 from her residence in Calabar by kidnappers who pretended to be patients.

  • Strike: NEC sets up adhoc committee to liaise with labour union

    Strike: NEC sets up adhoc committee to liaise with labour union

    The National Economic Council (NEC) has constituted an Ad-hoc Committee to engage with the leadership of labour unions to resolve issues surrounding the petrol subsidy removal across the states.

    Mr Olusola Abiola, Director Information, Office of the Vice President, in a statement, said the decision was reached at the 135th meeting of NEC, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Thursday.

    The committee comprises the Nigerian Governors’ Forum Chairman, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state, and the Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.

    Others are the PDP Governors Forum Chairman, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Gov. Alex Otti of Abia state.

    Abiola said that the council also received progress reports on the ongoing nationwide distribution of rice, grains, fertilizer and other items to States and N5 billion financial support, provided by the Federal Government.

    He said the council commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their interventions.

    Abiola said that the council  noted various interventions by State governments and urged them to upscale the distribution of palliatives towards alleviating the suffering of citizens, especially the vulnerable groups.

    He said that NEC also mourned the death of some military personnel in Niger State and observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased, while commiserating with their families.

    “Below are other highlights of the meeting; Excess Crude Account from July 19 to Aug. 14, 2023, US$473,754.57: Stabilisation Account from July 18 to Aug. 14, N30,346,557,405.12; Natural Resources Account from July 18 to Aug. 14, N115,175,616,159.65.

    “At the 128th NEC Meeting held on Oct. 20, 2022, the then Chairman of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, drew attention of council to the devastating effect of the 2022 flooding which affected about 31 States of the Federation.

    “This had resulted in the loss of over 600 lives, displacement of millions of people, destruction of hundreds of thousands of houses and thousands of hectares of farmlands submerged.

    “The governor, therefore, appealed for urgent intervention from the Federal Government to address the impact of the menace on the people and infrastructure,” he said.

    Abiola said the council resolved to set up a five-man Ad-hoc Committee on flooding, comprising Governors of Jigawa, Kogi, Anambra, Bayelsa, Lagos and Yobe States.

    He said that those coopted into the Committee were Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Minister of Water Resources, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Governor of the CBN and Director-General of NEMA.

    The director explained that the terms of reference of the committee was to review the current flooding situation in the country and design a template for the compensation of victims.

    He said that the Committee had its inaugural meeting on Nov. 10 , 2022, at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat.

    Highlight of that Meeting were as follows:

    “The Committee acknowledged the urgency of the assignment and hence the need to expedite action in order to table a draft report at the next NEC Meeting.

    “A sub-committee was constituted to propose modalities to address imminent food crisis due to the flooding and possible source of funding for palliatives to victims.

    “The Sub-committee was to be chaired by the governor of Kebbi State with the following as Members: Ministries of Agriculture, Humanitarian, Finance, NEMA and the CBN.

  • Fuel hike: NLC threatens to commence strike without notice

    Fuel hike: NLC threatens to commence strike without notice

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embarked on a nationwide strike without any formal notice if there is further increase in the pump price of fuel.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this at the ongoing African Alliance of Trade Unions meeting on Monday in Abuja.

    Ajaero said that negotiations with the Federal Government was still ongoing and the palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal subsidy were yet to be put in place firrst.

    Ajaero while reacting to the advice of the Registrar of Trade Unions of their responsibilities of protecting the interest of workers and Nigerians, urged government to change the anti-poor and anti-workers policies.

    According to him, government must change those bad economic policies that make our wages next to nothing.

    “ As we are here now, they are contemplating on increasing the pump price of petroleum products but let me say this, Nigeria workers will not give any strike notice.

    “If we have not addressed the consequences of the last two increases of fuel pump price, we would have waken up from asleep to hear that they have tampered with the fuel pump price again,” he said.

    The NLC president however, appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that theⁿ anti-workers policies are checked.

    “If you check those policies that lead to inflation and devaluation of the currency, we will be comfortable even where we are.

    “If  Naira is at par with  dollar today, we will asks you to leave minimum wage at N30,000.If inflation is checked to zero, we will ask you to leave things the way they are.

    “But inflation is flying, and by the admittance of the National Bureau of Statistics, we have over 133 million Nigerians that are multi dimensionally poor.

    “I think these are the issues Government should  address. If we go for wage increased tomorrow, the inflation that will follow suit will  destroy it,”he said.

    On the issue of Inspector-General of Police(IGP) detaining the officers of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) that it was unlawful.

    According to him, ”the Nigerian police, the IG is now performing the duties of the Ministry of Labour.”

    ”The duty of ministry of labour includes addressing the issue both inter and intra union disputes.

    “It is not within the purview of the IG to go into that area. I think there is  need for the Ministry of Labour to educate the police to tell them that they don’t have the right to usurp its functions.

    “If they do that, the Ministry of Labour will go into extinction and there will be no basis for Minister of Labour to remain there,”he added.

    He further that it was legal for NLC demand an apology from the IG of police for arresting  or even contemplated to arrest the president of the NURTW on the eve of the union’s election.

    He added that, it is unheard of in the history of this country. And never again should not be entertained,” he said.

  • Nigerian Medical Association threatens nationwide strike

    Nigerian Medical Association threatens nationwide strike

    Dr. Uche Ojinmah, National President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has disclosed that they would embark on a national action if their abducted member in Cross River was not returned in seven days.

    Ojinmah made the call in a briefing with journalists on Saturday in Calabar while disclosing some of the measures the association would take to demand the release of their abducted colleague.

    It would be recalled that Prof. Ekanem Ephraim, a Neurologist with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, (UCTH), was on July 13 abducted from her residence by armed men who pretended to be patients.

    According to her family, the NMA in Cross River, in the last 25 days, has not received any response or proof that the doctor is alive.

    Ojinmah said the NMA decided to make it clear that they would not accept anything except the return of the kidnapped doctor.

    “We have had interactions with the governor and we have made it clear that if by the end of next week we do not get result, we will take tougher stance because we have watched the maltreatment of medical practitioners in Cross River in the last few years.

    “Doctors as a group are being targeted, that has to stop in Cross River, if it does not, there will be a national action that will have Cross River at the epicenter.

    “We may withdraw our members so that those people who like kidnapping will have to treat the people of Cross River themselves,” he maintained.

    Speaking further, Ojinmah called on the government of Cross River to take proactive measures to protect their important citizens, not only doctors.

    While appealing to the kidnappers to return the abducted neurologist to her family and association, he called on the state government to make it a priority to contain any attempt to de-market Cross River.

    He added that they were not unmindful of the efforts of the governor and security agencies but Cross River was becoming a recurring decimal in the issue of kidnapping, especially doctors.

    In the last five years in Cross River, over 10 doctors have been kidnapped.

  • FRSC dismisses officer for joining NLC strike

    FRSC dismisses officer for joining NLC strike

    Imo State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has dismissed one of its officers for taking part in Wednesday’s protest led by the organised labour in a special marshal regalia.

    Sector Commander of the FRSC in Imo,  Evaristus Ebeniro, a Corps Commander, who said this while addressing newsmen in Owerri, Imo State capital, maintained that the officer had been de-marshaled and no longer an officer of the corps.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) embarked on a nationwide protest to register their displeasure with the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

    Ebeniro said, although the protester was a special marshal of the corps, he had since been de-marshaled and no longer holds a special marshals identity card.

    He added that the protester was while serving as a special marshal, summoned as a result of inactivity and lack of commitment to duties but absconded and was therefore de-marshaled in absentia in line with the rules of the corps.

    According to him, the command had also arrested the protester and recovered the regalia from him.

    “The incident prompted the command to commence investigation to unravel the identity of the protester.

    “It is now confirmed that the protester who happened to be a unionist was once a special marshal.

    “The Command hereby makes it categorically and unequivocally clear that the protester is no longer with the Corps and that he acted alone in that show of shame,” he said.

  • HoR empathizes with Nigerians, seek understanding to drop planned nationwide strike today

    HoR empathizes with Nigerians, seek understanding to drop planned nationwide strike today

    …want NLC to support its driving towards actualizing better palliatives for Nigerians

    The House of Representatives seek understanding to drop planned nationwide industrial action today.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a statement signed by HoR spokesman Hon Akin Rotimi Jr in the early hours of Wednesday.

    Hear him:

    “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has insisted on proceeding on the planned peaceful protest scheduled for Wednesday, August 2, 2023, despite appeals by the Federal Government and interest groups to shelve the industrial action.

    “As representatives of the people, the House of Representatives is fully aware and empathises with Nigerians on account of the hardship being experienced as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy. We also acknowledge the rights of the NLC to carry out peaceful protests as a means of clamouring for relief for Nigerian workers as we go through these challenging times.

    “Like most Nigerians, we know that building a progressive and prosperous nation requires hard and far-reaching decisions, which must be taken in the collective interest of the people, and see reason with the decision of the Federal Government to take the bull by the horn in the interest of long term economic growth and stability.

    “We would, however, continue to impress it on the Executive arm of government to expedite the implementation of the palliative measures announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his broadcast on Monday, and urge for the Federal Government to consider additional measures that would bring immediate respite to the people, while we wait to see the impact of the measures already announced in the coming months. The gap between the removal of fuel subsidy and the tangible outcomes of palliative measures must be shortened for the sake of poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

    “Accordingly, we call on the leadership of the NLC and other labour unions in Nigeria to please divert their energies to join the House of Representatives in continous engagement with the Executive arm, to achieve expedited implementation of the programmes and push for additional immediate measures to provide succor for Nigerians.

    “It is our considered opinion that embarking on a protest at this time would in effect, shutdown our economy and further disrupt the lives of Nigerians, and therefore not in our best interest.

    “The House of Representatives once again appeals to the NLC and allied labour unions to please call off the planned peaceful protest and embrace continuos dialogue as a means of achieving the best interest of hardworking Nigerian workers, without worsening the current hardship they are facing.

    Signed:

    Akin Rotimi, Jr., MHR
    House Spokesman/Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs

  • BREAKING! Organised labour insists strike must hold tomorrow as FG fails to meet demands

    BREAKING! Organised labour insists strike must hold tomorrow as FG fails to meet demands

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, and other critical stakeholders have insisted that the scheduled industrial action slated for tomorrow must hold.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this position was taken after a meeting by all stakeholders as the dialogue with the Federal Government has not yielded any positive outcome.

    This latest development was contained in a release issued by the umbrella body of labour in Nigeria and signed by president of NLC, Joe Ajaero.

    Their demands was also captured in the release.

    Read full release below:

    ” We want to inform all Nigerians that we have just risen from a meeting with the federal Government where we sought to get them listen to the demands of the people and workers of Nigeria.

    “The outcome of this meeting earlier today has however not changed anything or the course which we have set for ourselves tomorrow as custodians of the interests and desires of Nigerian workers and people.

    “Nigerians are advised to ignore the work of fifth columnists who are working hard against the wishes of the people.

    “We urge everyone to gather in our respective states and wherever we may be across the nation to give vent to this collective resolve.

    “Once again, the Nationwide Mass Protest will start tomorrow. OUR DEMANDS ARE: + IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION IN GOOD FAITH OF THE RESOLUTIONS WITH CONGRESS JOINTLY SIGNED WITH GOVERNMENT AND TUC + IMMEDIATE REVERSAL OF ALL ANTI-POOR POLICIES OF GOVERNMENT INCLUDING THE RECENT HIKE IN PMS PRICE, SCHOOL FEES AND VAT + FIX OUR LOCAL REFINERIES IN PORTHARCOURT, WARRI AND KADUNA + RELEASE OF 8 MONTHS WITHHELD SALARIES OF UNIVERSITY LECTURERS AND WORKERS + ACCORD APPROPRIATE RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT TO THE PRESIDENTIAL STEERING COMMITTEE AND THE WORK OF ITS SUB COMMITTEES + TO PUT A STOP TO INHUMAN ACTIONS AND POLICIES OF GOVERNMENT.

    Comrade Joe Ajaero President