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Tag: Strike

  • Falana says NLC’s planned protest, strike is lawful

    Falana says NLC’s planned protest, strike is lawful

    Human rights lawyer Femi Falana says the Nigeria Labour Congress and its affiliates can proceed on the Aug. 2 strike and protest as planned, saying the exercise does not translate to contempt of court.

    This is contained in a letter from the Falana Falana Chambers, solicitors to the NLC, by Sam Ogala, titled “Re- NLC in contemt of Court” and addressed to the Permanent Secretary/ Solicitor-General, Federal Ministry of Justice on July 28.

    According to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the decision of Nigerian workers to participate in peaceful rallies is for the interest of the masses and to protest the worsening economic crisis in the country.

    “You were reported to have accused the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress of treating the order of the National Industrial Court with contempt.

    “Contrary to your unwarranted allegation, the Nigeria Labour Congress does not intend to disobey the ex parte order of the National Industrial Court.

    “And to the effect that “the defendants/respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned Industrial Action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice dated June 5.”

    Falana added that the National Industrial Court or any other Court had not granted an order of interim, interlocutory or perpetual injunction restraining Nigerian workers from participating in peaceful rallies convened by the NLC.

    He argued that it was the constitutional right of Nigerian workers to protest peacefully and cannot by any stretch of imagination be classified as an industrial action or strike of any nature.

    “It is pertinent to draw your attention to the case of Inspector- General of Polic vs Nigeria People Party (2008) of where the Court 12 WRN 65, where the Court upheld the fundamental right of Nigerians to protest without police permit in the leading judgment of the Court, Justice Adekeye.

    “This includes the right to demonstrate, and the right to protest on matters of public concern are rights which are in the public interest and that which individuals must possess, and which they should exercise without impediment as long as no wrongful act is done.

    “If as speculated by law enforcement agents, that breach of the peace will occur, our criminal code has made adequate provisions for sanctions against breakdown of law and order.

    “So that the requirement of permit as a conditionality to holding meetings and rallies can no longer be justified in a democratic society.”

    He added that, finally, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are part of democratic rights of every citizen of the country.

    “Our legislature must guard these rights jealously as they are part of the foundation upon which the government itself rests.

    “Having advised the NLC and its allies to conduct the rallies peacefully, you may wish to advise the Nigeria Police Force to comply with section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020.

    “Where a person or organisation notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to.

    “The police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilise personnel to provide security to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession,” he said.

    The National Industrial Court in Abuja on June 5, restrained the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, from embarking on their planned strike to protest the unilateral removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

    The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice O. Y. Anuwe, barred the two organizations from proceeding with the strike action, pending the determination of a suit that was brought before it by FG.

    The court held that the interim order, as well as the substantive suit, should be immediately served on both the NLC and the TUC, which were cited as defendants/respondents in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/158/2023, even it fixed the matter for hearing on June 19.

    The court order followed an ex-parte application that FG filed through the Federal Ministry of Justice.

    FG’s lawyer, Mrs. Maimuna Lami Shiru, who moved the application, maintained that the proposed strike action was capable of disrupting economic activities, the health sector and the educational sector.

    FG further tendered Exhibits FGN 1, 2 and 3, which were notices from the NLC, TUC and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, to their members, asking them to withdraw their services with effect from Wednesday, June 7.

    The court, in its ruling, held that it was empowered by section 7(b) of the NIC Act, 2006, with the exclusive jurisdiction in matters relating to the grant of any order to restrain any person or body from taking part in any strike, lockout or any industrial action.

    It held that sections 16 and 19(a) of the NIC Act 2006, also empowered it to grant urgent interim reliefs.

    The court held that the affidavit of urgency as well as the submission of FG’s lawyer revealed: “a scenario that may gravely affect the larger society and the well-being of the nation at large”.

    On July 27, the federal government said the planned strike by the NLC over the removal of fuel subsidy and its attendant hardship is in contempt of an order of the national industrial court.

    Solicitor-General of the Federation Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, in a statement on the issue, warned the NLC leadership to desist from threatening court orders with disdain.

    The NLC, on July 19, issued a notice to begin a nationwide strike on Aug. 2 to protest the removal of fuel subsidy amid an astronomical hike in the pump price of petrol resulting from the policy announced by President Bola Tinubu at his inauguration on May 29.

  • Resident doctors turn down 25% increase in salary

    Resident doctors turn down 25% increase in salary

    … insist fuel subsidy removal has rubbished its value

    The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposal of a 25 per cent increase in doctors’ basic salary and a quarterly N25,000 accoutrement allowance.

    This rejection comes amid their ongoing nationwide indefinite strike, as they claim that the government has not met their demands.

    According to Dr. Emeka Orji, the President of NARD, the association firmly refuses the proposed 25 per cent salary increment and accouterment allowance, insisting on the full restoration of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to its 2009 value when it was initially approved.

    The current salary structure, implemented in 2014, has lost its value due to inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and fuel price hikes. Hence, the resident doctors are requesting a return to the 2014 salary value, which they calculate to be more than a 600 per cent increase when accounting for the removal of fuel subsidy.

    In addition to salary concerns, Resident doctors also demand the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), the replacement of departed doctors and nurses with new ones, payment of salary arrears, improved hazard allowance by state governments, and a reversal of the downgrading of membership Medical Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN.

    Furthermore, NARD is opposing the casualization of doctors in all tertiary health institutions in Nigeria and urging the government to enhance security measures to prevent incidents like the recent abduction of Prof. Ekanem Philip-Ephraim of UCTH Calabar, one of its trainers.

    Resident doctors say strike to continue indefinitely

    Meanwhile, NARD has said the ongoing nationwide strike action embarked upon by its members on Wednesday may continue indefinitely

    It added that the strike would continue until reasonable progress was made by the government to address its demands as contained in the ultimatum issued to the federal government on July 5.

    The association made its stand known in a communique it issued on Saturday at the end of its National Executive Council  (NEC) meeting held in Lagos.

    The meeting which began on Monday had “Bullying in Medical Practice: a Matter of Perspective?” as its theme.

    The communique was signed jointly by NARD’s National President, Dr Innocent Orji, Secretary-General, Dr Chikezie Kelechi and the Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Umar Musa.

    The demands of the group include the immediate release of the circular on the One-for-One policy for the replacement of exited clinical workers for implementation.

    “We cannot continue to watch our members lose their lives and break down under the weight of work overload occasioned by massive depletion of clinical staff in our hospitals on account of brain drain.

    “We demand as a matter of urgency, the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).

    “To demand the payment of all salaries and arrears including the salary arrears of 2014-2016, arrears of hazard allowance, arrears of consequential adjustment of the minimum wage, and promotion arrears to our deserving members without further delay.”

    The association also called on the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to reverse the downgrading of the membership certificate.

    It added that continuing with the downgrading of the certificates  would only reduce the value placed on the postgraduate medical training in Nigeria.

    The group said it embarked on the strike action on Wednesday after many months and years of non implementation of agreements reached with the government.

    “NEC observed the attempts made by some well-meaning Nigerians to resolve the issues at stake but expressed surprise that these have not resulted in any meaningful solutions.

    “We have observed the various meetings held with government agents and officials over the demands of NARD, the various memoranda and agreements reached, and the unfortunately slow wheel of progress of the government’s implementation processes.

    “NEC also observed with shock that up till now, about two months after the agreed date, the government has not yet released the circular on one-for-one replacement of exited clinical workers,” it noted.

    The association said that this was in negligence of the morbid and mortal effects of the massive brain drain on its members still working in the country and Nigerian citizens.

  • BREAKING: FG approves peculiar allowance for striking doctors

    BREAKING: FG approves peculiar allowance for striking doctors

    The Federal Government has approved the payment of N25,000.00 peculiar allowance for medical and dental doctors in hospitals, medical centres and clinics in the federal public service.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this was disclosed in a statement by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the national salary and wages commission, Ekpo Nta.

    This is coming in the wake of the ongoing indefinite strike embarked on by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

    According to the statement, the N25,000.00 peculiar allowance is to be paid from the overhead budget.

    TNG reports the government also issued circulars on some of the demands of the doctors on strike.

    These include the Circular on Review of CONMESS, which indicates 25% for CONMESS one to six ( 1-6) and 35% for CONMESS seven (7).

    Another Circular is on Review of CONHESS which shows 25% for CONMESS one to fourteen (1-14) and 35% for CONHESS fifteen (15 ).

    Also included is the circular on Hazard Allowance for Doctors working outside hospitals.

  • Harsh economic policies: FG is treating Nigerians as slaves and a conquered people – NLC

    Harsh economic policies: FG is treating Nigerians as slaves and a conquered people – NLC

    …demands immediate reversal of pump price of PMS

    …FG has shown enormous disdain, contempt towards Nigerian people

    … leading to mass suffering, poverty and angst pervading Nigerian people and workers

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has said the Federal Government is treating Nigerians as slaves and a bunch of conquered people.

    It has shown enormous disdain and contempt towards Nigerian people and workers as its bitter economic pills has led to mass suffering, poverty in Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a communique issued at the of its meeting on Tuesday and signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, its scribe, Comrade Emmanuel Ogboaja.

    The umbrella body of organised labour in Nigeria apparently peeved by the recent hike of PMS from N500 to N617 stated in the communique that:

    “CWC-in-Session after exhaustively deliberating on the crippling economic situation facing Nigerians and its attendant consequences of mass suffering, poverty and angst pervading Nigerian workers and peoples which are clear resultants of the insensitive policies and actions of the present Administration; recalled that on the 29th day of May, 2023, the President of the federal republic gave Nigerians an inaugural shocking gift by increasing the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N185 to N500; this action was considered was strongly condemned by various Organs of Congress because of the massive suffering it imposed on the lives of Nigerians.

    “However, as if that was not enough, the federal government through the instrumentality of the NNPCL effected a further hike in the price of PMS to N617 per litre without having addressed the dire consequences which the earlier hike had imposed on Nigerians.

    “Other anti-poor policies have since been unleashed on Nigerians which have left workers and masses reeling and deeply impoverished.

    “CWC-in-Session noted unfortunately: 1. That the federal government has shown enormous disdain and contempt for Nigerian people and workers having acted and continued to act without regards to the welfare and cries of the citizenry.

    “That Government seems to have declared a war of attrition on Nigerian workers and masses without any care leaving them to the throes of hopelessness and helplessness.

    “That the federal government has refused to put in place safeguards to protect Nigerians from the harsh Economic situation that its policies have inflicted on the people rather it has decided to insult the sensibilities of Nigerian masses by offering us N8,000 per family and offering themselves N70billion.

    ” That the federal government has frustrated and abandoned its own Committee which was a product of social dialogue between the government and workers organisations in the country.

    “While the Committee has not met, the government embarked on unilateral actions and programmes.

    “That since Mr. Presidents “subsidy is gone forever” speech at inauguration day;
    the peace of mind of Nigerians has gone; decent living gone increasing despair of
    unimaginable dimensions.

    “That the federal government has continued to treat Nigerians as Slaves and a conquered people which it treats with impunity without any concern on the
    consequences.

    “That the federal government has continued in an unholy mission of robbing the poor to pay the rich in Nigeria as typified by its continued frustration of the
    activation of the agreed alternatives to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and new hike in prices of PMS to N617 per litre.

    “That the federal government has continued to promote the gang up of the ruling elite against Nigerian people and workers.

    ” Observes that the federal government has continued to churn out without
    relenting policies designed to emasculate Nigerian workers and people via not just increases in PMS prices with its spiraling affect but also increases in VAT, increases in school fees across all Publicly owned Secondary and Tertiary
    institutions of learning

    “That the NNPCL has turned itself into the forces of demand and supply and
    fixes the price of Petroleum products while mouthing deregulation.

    “That Government’s conduct suggests it does not intend to commit itself to
    the MoU it signed with NLC and TUC.

    “That Nigerians are outraged and have been putting pressure on the NLC to
    lead them in protest against the increases in the pump price of PMS.

    “That the pressure has come to a breaking point and given Government’s
    continued indifference to the plight of the poor, resolved that, It would not be
    party to the killing of poor Nigerian workers and masses.

    “That it is the responsibility of men and women of conscience propelled by
    patriotic zeal to take necessary action to protect democracy and our beloved
    nation since it is clear that the federal government is not interested in discussions having exhausted half of the agreed 8 weeks without activating the Presidential Steering Committee.

    The CWC-in-session subsequently resolved as follows:

    “The immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the federal government including the recent hike in PMS price, Increase in Public School fees, the release of the 8 months withheld Salary of University lecturers and Workers and increase in VAT.

    “The immediate inauguration of the Presidential Steering Committee as agreed in the earlier consequential dialogues

    “To begin the building across the nation of a Coalition of all Nigerians where all will be leaders and all will be followers

    “To call on all civil society organisations and Nigerians wherever they may be to
    begin mobilization to take action on their own to save our nation.

    “To lead and organize mass protest rallies across the nation to demonstrate outrage against the inhuman actions and policies of the government.

    “To give the federal government a Seven Day ultimatum within which to meet all
    our demands and to embark on a nation wide action beginning Wednesday the
    2nd of August, 2023 to compel the government to reverse its anti-poor and anti-workers policies.

    “To Consequently direct all Affiliates and State Councils to begin immediate
    mobilization and closely work with associations, individuals and other entities including the ones already on the streets to ensure that government listens to the people.

    #

  • Just In: Justice ministry cautions NLC over planned nationwide strike

    Just In: Justice ministry cautions NLC over planned nationwide strike

    …says matter is still pending in NIC

    …pleads for understanding

    The Federal Ministry of Justice has cautioned the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC not to embark on Next week Wednesday nationwide industrial action as the matter is still before the National Industrial Court, NIC.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General to the Federation, Mrs. B.E. Jedy-Agba late Wednesday evening.

    The ministry noted in the statement that: “It’s pertinent to alert members of the NLC and the general public to the pendency of SUIT NO: NICN/ABJ/158/2023 – FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANOR V. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR before the National Industrial Court, wherein His Lordship, Anuwe, J., on 5th June 2023 granted an injunctive order restraining Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the pending Motion on Notice, which is also praying for an order of interlocutory injunction for parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the dispute or issues submitted to the court. The said Motion on Notice is still pending.

    Read full release below:

    “​The attention of the Federal Ministry of Justice has been drawn to media reports indicating that the National President (Joe Ajaero) and Secretary- General (Emmanuel Ugboaja, mni) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) endorsed a 7-day notice of their intention to embark on a nationwide strike action from 2nd August 2023 if the demands of the labour unions are not met.

    “​It is pertinent to alert members of the NLC and the general public to the pendency of SUIT NO: NICN/ABJ/158/2023 – FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANOR V. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR before the National Industrial Court, wherein His Lordship, Anuwe, J., on 5th June 2023 granted an injunctive order restraining Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the pending Motion on Notice, which is also praying for an order of interlocutory injunction for parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the dispute or issues submitted to the court. The said Motion on Notice is still pending.

    “​It is noted that the issues (removal of fuel subsidy, hike in prices of petrol and consequential increase in cost of living, etc) which precipitated the above court action are the very same issues over which NLC has now issued another strike notice.

    “The NLC has submitted to the jurisdiction of the court and is being represented by the reputable law firm of Femi Falana, SAN. It is therefore our minimum expectation that NLC will allow the courts perform their constitutional roles rather than resorting to self-help and undermining the orders of the court.

    “We note with dismay that this latest strike notice is consistent with the inexplicable disdain which the NLC leadership has visited on the authority of the court in recent times following earlier inciting and derogatory remarks made by the NLC President against the court. Indeed, the avowed penchant of the leadership of the union for casting aspersions on the Judiciary is quite worrisome and concerning.

    “Aside the above legal inhibition against any strike action of any nature, we also note that both the Federal and State Governments are engaging with stakeholders to cushion the collateral effect of the removal of fuel subsidy and increment in fuel price. It would be a great act of service to Nigerian workers and the nation’s economy for NLC to explore negotiations rather than embark on any strike action.

    “We therefore urge NLC to allow good reason to prevail by adhering to the time-tested principles of lis pendis and rule of law to avert adverse consequences.

    Signed
    Mrs. B.E. Jedy-Agba, OON, mni
    Solicitor-General of the Federation
    & Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice
    Wednesday, July 26, 2023

  • Speaker Abbas meets Tinubu over resident doctors’ strike

    Speaker Abbas meets Tinubu over resident doctors’ strike

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has met with President Bola Tinubu to discuss on the  strike embarked by the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) .

    Recalled that the Speaker had earlier on Monday met with the national leadership of NARD and pleaded with them to shelve their planned strike.

    During the meeting with the NARD leadership, the Speaker had appealed to the resident doctors to give the House leadship for two weeks period to find solutions to the issues raised.

    He equally promised to meet President Tinubu within 24 hours on the matter, and constituted an ad hoc committee chaired by the Leader of the House Prof. Julius Ihonvbere in the matter.

    In keeping to his promise, Speaker has met with President Tinubu yesterday night, where he briefed the president on the outcome of his meeting with the NARD leadership.

    Speaker equally pleaded with the president to wade into the matter with a view to addressing the issues raised by the resident doctors.

    However, despite the Speaker’s intervention, NARD embarked on an indefinite strike on Tuesday evening.

    He had directed the Ad- hoc committee to meet with all the stakeholders with a view to resolving the matter immediately.

    The panel has the immediate past Chairman of the 9th House Committee on Healthcare Services, Hon. Tanko Sununu as the deputy chairman, while all medical practitioners in the House were co-opted into the ad hoc committee.

  • Tinubu told to avoid ASUU strike by all means

    Tinubu told to avoid ASUU strike by all means

    The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to make as one of its priorities, a determination never to allow the Academic  Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other education unions to embark on strike again.

    Miftaudeen Thanni, immediate past Amir of MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit, made the call on Sunday during its  Annual Conference, which was held on Sunday at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos.

    According to him, investing in the education sector is not a luxury but a necessity

    “As we move into a new dispensation of ‘Renewed Hope’ in our national polity, we are urging the Federal Government to pay more attention and improve on the education investment

    “We don’t want strikes again and this can be achieved by investing more in education.

    “It’s a way to invest in peace, as educated individuals are more likely to embrace dialogue, reject extremism, and work towards resolving conflicts through peaceful means.

    “The government should realise that paying the utmost attention to education is as important as the economy, a well-educated population forms the backbone of a thriving economy.

    “We are reminding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritise education, youth empowerment, security of lives and property, economic and infrastructural development.

    ”Effective synergy and fostering of unity across ethnoreligious lines, while we commend him on the students’ loan bill signed into law and await the fruits of other economic policies of the government

    “These measures will go a long way in fueling innovation, fosters entrepreneurship, and drives sustainable development,” he added.

    Speaking, during the programme with the theme, “Renaissance“, Mr Niyi Yusuf, Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), explained  Renaissance’ as revival, renewal or an attempt to bring something back that was very good in the past and make it active again.

    Yusuf, who was the keynote speaker at the event,  represented by Raji Abdulganiy, charged young Muslims to exploit their youthful age and make meaningful contributions in the society and seek to restore glorious days of Islam.

    “As youths the time has come for us to stop taking the back sit in leadership positions because are still very young, some of our prophets were still very young when they stated contributing to Islam,” he added.

    The chairman advised the MSS members to be united, pay serious attention to education as part of efforts to revive the good old days of Islam, referred them to read the ‘Golden Age of Islam’, which according to him, talked about when Muslims were the leaders of the world.

    Earlier, Dr Zafaran Adeniyi, Director of Vanguard Academy, said there was the need for the youths to implement technology, to meet increasing challenges and maintain a balance to achieve spiritual, moral and academic progression.

    According to him, the reasons for the call to renaissance is as a result of the decline in morals and to effectively calibrate.

    “We need to have a sense of our history to get a headway.

    “A major way to make changes is the massive enlightenment of Muslim youths on every aspect across the board.

    “However, MSSN has the background to thrive everywhere as a result of the intensive training and exposure given to the members from the very beginning,” he added.

    Sen. Shuaib Salisu, a former President of MSSN and Senator, representing Ogun Senatorial District, commended the Lagos Area Unit for the successful conduct of its annual conference, described the programme as a laudable event.

    “When students organisation like this come together, they are renewing the hope of our country as well as the renewing the role they need to play in realising the real nation of our dream,” he added.

    Salisu advised the members to have a good sense of history as a guide to where they were going.

    He charged the Lagos State Area Unit to develop a data base of members in the State,said it has over 800 schools, over 40 Area Councils and 45 Central branches to knowledge purposes.

    The event, which recorded no fewer than 300 members of MSSN across the country, featured the swearing-in of the newly elected members of executive headed by Mallam Kamaldeen Abiona.

  • Plateau workers suspend 2 months old strike

    Plateau workers suspend 2 months old strike

    The Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), in Plateau, on Friday, suspended the state’s civil service two-months old strike, and directed workers to resume work on Monday.

    It would be recalled that Plateau civil servants embarked on an indefinite strike on May 11, after government failed to meet their demands, which included payment of salaries and other entitlements.

    The JNC Chairman, Mr Titus Malau, who briefed newsmen in Jos, said that the decision to suspend the strike was taken after its meeting with the state government, where some agreements on their demands were reached.

    “The indefinite strike declared by the union is hereby suspended with effect from July 14, 2023, and workers of both state and local governments are directed to resume work on Monday, July 17, 2023.

    “The technical committee on salary structure shall resume sitting to conclude the salary structure immediately after resumption of work.

    “However, there are challenges of payment of March 2023 salary, which the union’s leadership will follow up to ensure that all are resolved,” he stated.

    Malau said that based on the JNC and government’s agreement, the balance of salaries for the month of February 2023 had been paid.

    The chairman stated that the government had also issued a circular directing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to implement all promotions with immediate effect.

    He also disclosed that the government had concluded work on the consolidated salary table for state civil servants, and which had been signed by both parties.

    “The Government has prepared salary spreadsheet for the month of March 2023 capturing arrears of annual increment for January and February 2022, same has been presented to the unions.

    “The payment of salary for the month of March would commence on July 4, 2023, after staff verification, and that the salaries of April and May would be paid in the same manner as March, immediately funds are available,” he said.

    Malau further said that the JNC had met with chairmen of the 17 local governments areas of the state, and they had agreed that government would also pay the arrears of salaries of local government employees.

    He said they had also agreed that government would restore the payment of domestic staff allowance to officers on Grade Levels 15 and 16, along with the June salary.

    According to Malau, an agreement was reached that upon the release of promotions and annual increments, the government shall effect payments thereof, from July, 2023.

  • Doctors issue federal government two-week strike notice

    Doctors issue federal government two-week strike notice

    The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the federal government for the implementation of all its demands.

    The association said this in a communique issued after its virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council Meeting (E-NEC) on Wednesday.

    Some of the demands include massive recruitment of clinical staff in hospitals; immediate infrastructural development in hospitals and an allocation of at least 15 percent of budgetary provisions to health.

    Others are immediate payment of the 2023 medical residency training fund (MRTF); and the immediate increment in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to the tune of 200 percent of the gross salary of doctors.

    The association noted that the parameters used in arriving at a demand for minimum of 200 percent increase in CONMESS has significantly changed, following the removal of fuel subsidy and the massive increase in the general cost of living.

    NARD also demands payment of the medical residency training fund to our members in the state tertiary health institutions nationwide.

    “Since the current economic realities in the country cannot justify the continued payment of CONMESS as it is at the moment or any increment below the 200 per cent as demanded.

    ” For purposes of emphasis, at the expiration of this further extended ultimatum by July 19, if all these demands are not met, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector nationwide.”

    “NEC recalls that the conciliatory meeting agreed that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation will release the implementation guideline on or before June 5 for onward transmission to the Tertiary Hospitals for implementation.

    This has not happened till now. Unfortunately, doctors and nurses in these tertiary hospitals continue to break down and suffer burnout effect, assaults and harassment consequent upon the severe manpower shortage occasioned by this.”

    The association, however, called for the immediate payment of all outstanding arrears owed its members, including the hazard allowance and the skipping arrears of 2014-2016, and the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum wage.

  • Strike: NLC condemns court ruling favouring FG

    Strike: NLC condemns court ruling favouring FG

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the ruling of the National Industrial Court (NIC) of favouring the Federal Government against the interest of the masses and workers in the country.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this in a communique jointly signed with Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Congress at the end of an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

    It said that the NEC meeting was called to discuss the outcome of the dialogue between the NLC and the Federal Government on the petroleum product price hike.

    The NLC had on June 3 ordered a nationwide strike that was supposed to commence on June 7 over the hike in fuel price.

    It would also be recalled that the federal government had procured a Court injunction restraining Congress from proceeding with the proposed nationwide strike.

    The NLC said NEC in session resolved that there was need to show government that it was important to comply with laid down laws and court rulings.

    “Especially as it concerns obedience to the rulings of the Courts and their brazen disregard to the 2023 Appropriation Act.

    “To therefore support and accept the decision of the leadership of Congress to suspend the proposed strike action in compliance with the flawed rulings of the NIC.

    “Also to allow negotiations to flow freely and enable final agreement during or after the 19th June, 2023, negotiation round with the federal government.

    “To however register in strongest terms its disgust and disapproval with the ruling of the NIC for its continuous weaponisation of the instrument of Exparte injunction in favour of government.

    “That is against the interests of Nigerian workers in defiance of the position of the Supreme Court on the use of this instrument,” it said.

    Congress further stated that all Affiliates and State Councils of Congress are hereby directed to suspend further action and mobilisation until the outcome of the final negotiations.

    The communiqué commended all Affiliates and State Councils on their robust mobilisation towards a successful nationwide strike and to also remain vigilant in case there is a need to continue.