The Joint Health Workers’ Union (JOHESU), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), and the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) have directed their members to participate fully in the planned indefinite strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Lafiya360 reports that the organized labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have concluded massive mobilization of their members and affiliates for a nationwide indefinite strike starting from Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
The labour unions announced the strike after a joint press conference on Tuesday last week in Abuja.
They noted that the strike was the result of the failure by the government to address the hardship Nigerians are currently experiencing as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy and other harsh economic policies.
They further stated that the government refused to engage them in a constructive dialogue, despite the 21-day ultimatum and the subsequent two-day warning strike on September 5 and 6.
In a statement signed by the President of NANNM, Michael Nnnachi, the nurses and midwives union directed its members to commence a nationwide indefinite industrial action with effect from Tuesday 3rd October 2023.
The statement said, “You would recall that the Federal Government announced the removal of fuel subsidy during the inauguration of President Bola Anmed Tinubu since May 2023, a decision that has meted untold hardship on the Nigerian workers and the less privileged.
“NLC leadership has placed numbers of requests as a means of palliatives to alleviate the sufferings of the Nigerian workers without success.
“Several actions were instituted by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, ranging from mass street protest, 3 days warning strike and several ultimatums, but the Federal Government remains a deaf ear to the wailings of the NLC.
“Consequently, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress met on Tuesday 26th September 2023 and resolved to commence an indefinite Strike.
“Given the above, I am directed to convey the decision of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to commence nationwide indefinite industrial action with effect from Tuesday 3rd October 2023.”
The Acting Sectetary General of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Comrade Auwalu Kiyawa, in a statement said, “I wish to notify you that the Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress has directed its Affiliates to commence an indefinite nationwide strike from Tuesday, 3rs October, 2023. This is sequel to the decision of the National Executive Council meeting of the Congress and subsequent joint press briefing by the Leadership of NLC and TUC held on Tuesday, 26th of September 2023, over Government insensitivity and lethargic approach in responding to the legitimate demands of the organized Labour.
“Consequently, the Naional Leadership of the Union has directed State Councils to immediately commence intensive mobilization of our members in total compliance to the indefinite strike, peaceful protest and rallies as has been declared by the organized Labour.
“State Councils are further directed to work closely with the leadership of NLC in their State for a watertight planning, execution and monitoring of the actions. Videos and pictoral evidences of the actions should be uploaded on the National WhatsApp platform and Facebook page, please.”
Furthermore, health workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) are set to join the planned indefinite strike.
NUAHP members include: Pharmacists, physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists, imaging scientists/radiographers, medical social workers, optometrists, clinical phycologists, orthotics/prosthetics, speech therapists, medical physicists, ECG/EEG specialists, dental technologists, occupational therapists, health information management practitioners, dental therapists, dieticians and others.