Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Moves by the National Assembly to outlaw strike in the health sector through a bill has been condermned by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (AHPA) and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). The bill, titled: "An Act to amend the Trade Disputes Act, Cap T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to prohibit medical practioners in the employment of federal, state, and local governments in the essential service sectors from embarking on strikes and to accelerate administrative and judicial proceedings in the determination of trade disputes involving them and related matters", is sponsored by a member of the House representing Enugu State, Simon Atige. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, 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 Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Assembly Healthcare Professionals (AHPA), and Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors have all denounced the National Assembly's attempt to criminalize strikes in the health sector. They called the legislation draconian and it has already passed the House of Representatives' first reading. The Trade Disputes Act, Cap. T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, was amended by the proposed law, An Act to amend the Trade Disputes Act, Cap. T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to forbid medical professionals employed by federal, state, and local governments in essential service sectors from going on strike and to quicken administrative and judicial processes for resolving trade disputes involving them and related issues.