Doctors in the employ of the Lagos State Government have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike on Monday.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr. Biyi Kufo, on Monday, the industrial action was precipitated by the action of the state government, which they accused of withholding their May 2012 as well as August/September 2014 salaries.
The doctors had embarked on a three-day warning strike in February to protest the non-payment of their wages.
Kufo said, “We are bewildered that the administration ignored all our efforts to resolve the matter without a strike, and only invited us to talk when we threatened a strike.
“There has been little in terms of a positive response from the administration since the warning strike was concluded.
“Since resolution was not achieved at the end of this period, members of the guild should proceed on an indefinite strike from Monday the 16th of March, 2015. However, emergency services will be provided in all the hospitals during the action.”
The salaries of the doctors were withheld under the ‘no work, no pay’ policy of the state government after it joined its parent body, the NMA, on a nationwide strike last July to protest issues of relativity and other federal appointments in the health sector.
The guild accused the state government of operating a discriminatory policy as the salaries of other members of the Joint Health Sectors Unions in the state, who had embarked on strike between November and January, were paid. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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I think its time doctors know they aren't gods. You go on indefinite strike then ask to be paid for March 2015 too??? Doesn't add up.
ReplyDeleteThe policy of "no work, no pay" is enshrined in the Nigerian Consitution. So the Lagos State Gaovenrment has not flout any law by implementing the policy. Rather, the Lagos State doctors should learn to appeal to the government rather than flexing muscle. On this one, they are WRONG!
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