The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) is urging the federal government to settle the seven months of unpaid salary arrears owed to its members.
During the national executive council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Friday, MHWUN President Kabiru Sani emphasized the need for the government to also resolve the outstanding eight months of salary arrears owed to regulatory agencies.
He stated, “We are facing issues regarding the non-payment of seven months’ salary arrears. Additionally, we have concerns about the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), similar to what has been implemented for our counterpart organizations.”
Sani also urged the federal government to address the outstanding eight months of salary arrears owed to both regulatory agencies and union members. “While the policy has been reverted, the release of funds has yet to occur,” he noted.
The MHWUN president expressed concern over the deteriorating state of health infrastructure and called for policies aimed at reversing this trend. “The minister should address the factors contributing to the alarming rates of brain drain and the migration of health workers,” he added.
In related news, Ayuba Wabba, the former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), emphasized that workers’ organizations and trade unions should not be perceived as threats to democracy. He asserted that the protection of workers’ fundamental rights is essential for strengthening democracy in the country. “When you attack the fundamental rights of citizens, you are simultaneously undermining the rights of workers, which can jeopardize democracy,” he remarked.
In another development, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has summoned Joe Ajaero, the current president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), regarding allegations of “criminal intimidation.” A letter dated August 28 requested Ajaero and Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union’s general secretary, to attend a questioning session on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
According to the letter, this summons is part of an investigation into alleged criminal intimidation, actions likely to breach public peace, and malicious damage to property. “You are requested to bring comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), at the FID complex in Abuja on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11 AM,” it stated.
The police summoned Ajaero regarding allegations of criminal conspiracy, financing terrorism, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime. He was asked to appear before the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on August 20.
However, Ajaero declined the invitation, requesting specific details about the allegations against him. As a result, the interview was rescheduled for Thursday.
The police indicated that the invitation was related to a recent raid on the NLC secretariat in Abuja. On August 7, officers conducted a search of the NLC building located in the Central Business District, claiming they were looking for seditious materials associated with the #EndBadGovernance protests.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun later stated that one of the individuals involved in the Sudan conflict was traced to the NLC headquarters.
