The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) have been ordered by the federal government to remove their strike letters unless both unions agree on their stances on the new hazard allowance for health professionals.
Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour, made the announcement on Friday, July 9, following a meeting in Abuja that began on Thursday night, July 8, and finished on Friday morning, July 9.
Ngige chastised both unions for their disagreement over how to divide a 300 percent increase in hazard allowances, amounting to N37.5 billion.
According to him, the government offered the two organisations representing health unions and professionals adequate time to reconcile their opposing views on the hazard allowance, but they were unable to do so.
Ngige stated, “I’ve instructed them to withdraw the National Association of Resident Doctors and JOHESU trade dispute notices to the Federal Government.
“I told them to go because they were twisting my arm. In ILO CBA negotiations, it is not permitted. As a result, we anticipate them withdrawing the notices they issued.
“With effect from June 28, JOHESU issued a 15-day ultimatum. NARD handed them a 28-day deadline from the day they received their NEC.
“Those are arm twisting tactics, and I told them they needed to drop them because the concerns they’re bringing up are ancillary.
“They have nothing to do with this debate over a new hazard allowance for health care providers and workers.”
The National Salaries, Wages and Incomes Commission (NSWIC) and the Presidential Committee on Salaries will decide on the new hazard allowance for health professionals and workers, according to Ngige.
