Nationwide Strike: Nigerian Doctors Exempt, Health Unions May Join
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has announced that doctors are exempted from the ongoing nationwide strike initiated by the Organized Labour. The NMA clarified that it is not part of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). However, there are indications that other health unions in the country, including the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), may join the strike.
The Rivers State Chairman of NMA, Doctor Ebbi Robinson, confirmed that their association is separate from the NLC. When contacted, the leadership of JOHESU in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) did not respond to inquiries regarding their involvement in the strike.
Meanwhile, the strike led by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) is gaining momentum in Rivers State. As a result, government-owned primary and secondary schools in the state have been shut down in compliance with the directive from the NLC and TUC. Banks have also remained closed during the strike.
While government-owned schools were open on Tuesday, teachers were waiting for a directive from the State Ministry of Education. However, the NLC Taskforce in Rivers State reportedly visited schools to enforce the strike among its members.
The Organized Labour called for the strike to compel the Federal Government to address their demands following an attack on the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State.
This news article presents an overview of the ongoing nationwide strike in Nigeria, which has exempted doctors but may involve other health unions. It highlights the current situation in Rivers State, where schools and banks are closed due to the strike. The Organized Labour initiated the strike to address their demands in response to the attack on the NLC President.
