NLC rejects bill seeking to ban strike in health sector

The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, has condemned the bill seeking to outlaw strike in the health sector.

Briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, he said the bill negated both international and national laws.

• NIGERIA DAILY: How Young Nigerians Miss Out On Job Opportunities
• Controversy over demolition of Fulani settlement around Jaji

He said: “It is laughable, where industrial relations are working optimally, strikes can be avoided and therefore, this is the provision of the law and I am sure that those proposing the bill are not aware of those laws, and those laws are very explicit.”

The bill seeking to amend the Trade Disputes Act was sponsored by a member of the House of Representatives, Simon Chukwuemeka Atigwe (PDP, Enugu). 

The bill, which has scaled first reading in the House, prohibits health workers from embarking on strike.

Wabba noted that the right of workers to strike constitutes a fundamental right of workers and their organization, especially unions.

He said: “In compilation 751 of the document, it states clearly that the right of workers to strike constitute a fundamental right of workers and their organisation especially unions and it is used as means of defending the economic and social rights and interests of those workers.”