Indefinite Archives | Trendbrio.com

Ondo Resident doctors begin indefinite strike

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo town, have begun an indefinite strike over alleged poor condition of service. The striking resident doctors were said to have protested on Monday after management of the hospital refused to heed to their demands. They demanded a stop to illegal deductions from their salaries, check on huge payment of taxes, non-payment of hazard allowance amongst others. President of the UNIMEDTH ARD, Dr Olaogbe Kehinde, said the workload was too much for doctors in the hospital. He said many doctors have resigned while others left without prior notification due to poor conditions of service. Dr. Olaogbe stated that the hospital management refused to heed to their request for a review of their working conditions. Olaogbe said the strike action was a difficult decision due to failure to address critical issues affecting its members, infrastructure, and the delivery of quality healthcare services. He said doctors could no longer work under conditions that undermine their well-being and compromise patient care. He urged the state government to expedite payment of all outstanding salaries and allowances, improve working conditions in the three centres across the state, and ensure prompt implementation of their demands. “We demand the correction of irregularities and discrepancies in salary payments, the implementation of the new minimum wage scale, and parity in salary payments with other tertiary hospitals as stipulated in the teaching hospital constitution, among other issues. “We deeply regret any inconvenience this strike may cause to patients and the public.” Immediate past President of the striking doctors, Dr. John Matthew, said the disparity between the salary of doctors in Ondo State and other states I’m were huge due to illegal deductions and taxes. Dr. Matthew said many doctors in the state have taken up appointments in other states. “We will not return to work until our demands are met. Money is the core issue because that is what is driving doctors away. There is a huge disparity in payment between Ondo and Ogun States. Doctors will go to states that are giving doctors good welfare packages but they are worsening the terrible welfare here. “The issues are Illegal deductions from our salary and the humugous taxes we are paying. It is killing the system and driving doctors away. “The hospital was disconnected from the national grid and we were sleeping and working in the dark.” Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Gbala Micheal, pleaded with the striking doctors for more time to enable management address their grievances.

NASU, SSANU begin indefinite strike on Monday

Our Reporters5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, have directed its members to proceed on a nationwide indefinite strike from Monday over the non payment of the four months withheld salaries. The strike according to the leaders of the two unions would commence on Sunday night of October 27, 2024. The bodies in a circular to all branch chairmen of NASU and SSANU in the universities and inter-university centres, with the title: “Latest development in respect of the withheld four (4) months salaries,” explained that the strike initially billed for 23rd October, was rescheduled because of the Trade Group Council meeting of NASU branches on the said date. The circular which was signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU President, explained that the strategic change in timing was for effective co-ordination and for both Unions to be on same page. The bodies regretted that despite President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the 50 percent of the four months withheld salaries to be paid, the alleged inaction of the Minister of Finance raised question about the government’s commitment to resolving the issue. According to the circular, “It is on record that JAC of NASU and SSANU has issued multiple notices to the government to redress this ugly situation. However, the sincerity of government to our cause is in doubt. “However, the Trade Group Council Meeting of NASU branches in the Universities and Inter- University Centres has been scheduled to hold on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th October 2024 at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and the arrangements for the meeting already concluded. “In view of this, the leadership of JAC has decided that the effective date for the strike be moved to mid-night of Sunday, 27th October 2024, to allow the Branch Officers of NASU to be on ground before commencing the strike. “We have to do this strategic change in timing for effective co-ordination and for both Unions to be on same page. “We express our deepest appreciation for your steadfast commitment to the leadership and we affirm our determination to persist in this struggle until ultimate victory is secured.”