The NLC opposes a bill seeking to ban strikes in the health sector

The President of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, has opposed the bill before the House of Representatives in a bid to stop health workers from going on strike, describing the proposed legislation as a violation of the principles of freedom of expression in line with the Constitution of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

He reminded lawmakers that Nigeria is a member of the ILO and Compilation 751, which recognizes the right of workers to strike as a fundamental right used as a means of defending the economic and social rights and interests of workers.

Entitled “An Act to amend the Trade Disputes Act, Cap T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, prohibiting medical practitioners employed in Federal, State and Local Governments in essential service sectors from initiating strikes and to expedite administrative action and judicial proceedings for the resolution of trade disputes with their participation and related issues” – the sponsor of the bill is the Member of Parliament representing the Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency in the Lower House of the National Assembly, Simon Atigwe.

Addressing health reporters in Abuja yesterday, Wabba noted that “it is ridiculous for anyone to want to ban a strike in the health sector,” adding that “you cannot tie a worker’s hand to stop him from demanding his rights.”

He noted that a strike aimed at a wage increase and the payment of arrears falls within the legal scope of trade union activity, according to File 769.

The NLC boss, who pointed out that Nigeria was under the obligation to continue to abide by the principles of the conventions it has ratified, said that “there are many things that lawmakers would focus their attention on than this issue which deals with the fundamental principle that must be upheld.”

He promised Labor would engage lawmakers in a “coherent way, but if they go ahead and pass the bill, the NLC will mobilize all workers and take a protest to the House of Representatives to name and shame them.”