FG code limiting govt negotiators stir labour backlash

A new code of conduct barring government negotiators from entering agreements with financial implications without consent of the President has sparked a backlash from health workers groups.

The labour ministry announced the code on the same day President Muhammadu Buhari complained about incessant strikes by health workers nationwide disrupting health services.

Permanent secretary, Federal ministry of Labour and Productivity, Clement Illoh had earlier attributed recurrent strikes to the inclination of some government officials to enter into agreements with financial implications without carrying the ministries of finance and labour along.

Workers in gas, education, health, oil and

transport and power have been involved in the strikes, but the Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA) in a reaction to the president’s claim, said government as a partner in labour dispute negotiations had a duty to enter agreements it could respect backed with cash.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors in Abuja, NMA president, Dr Kayode Obembe said doctors in particular could not end all strikes at a command.

“The partner [government] should please make sure they respect the circulars you have issued, back it up with cash, put it in their budget to make sure this year is a crisis-free year,” Obembe said.

A former president of the association Dr Osahon Enabulele, demanded government and its agents to be “proactive and progressive” toward workers demands.