NMA appeals to Fashola over unpaid salaries

From Punch Newspaper

The Lagos State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Tope Ojo, has appealed to the state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, to use his office to ensure that the August and September salaries of doctors under its employ are paid.

He made the appeal at a news briefing organised by the association in Lagos on Sunday.

Ojo said that it was unfair that the Lagos State Government had withheld the emoluments of its doctors for the month of August and September as a punishment for their involvement in a nationwide strike called by their parent body, the NMA.

It would be recalled that doctors, under the aegis of the NMA, had embarked on a nationwide strike on July 1, over issues of relativity and other appointments of key officials in the sector.

He said that all the states of the federation and the FCT had complied with the general agreement that led to the suspension of the 55-day old strike to pave the way for peace and further negotiations except the Lagos State.

Ojo said, “It could be recalled that the NMA, after series of negotiations with the government, some of its demands were met.The sacking of resident doctors was reversed and all outstanding emoluments had been paid as agreed which led to the suspension of its strike action.

“It is worrisome that till date the Lagos State Government has held on to the emoluments of its doctors for August and September. Also, May 2012 salary is being withheld till date in spite of several appeals. This makes Lagos the only state that has not complied with the general agreement.”

Ojo noted that only doctors were been singled out for the no work , no pay policy of the government as members of the other professional associations including Academic Staff Union were paid their salaries in spite of the fact that they had embarked on a six months nationwide strike.

He noted, “The LASU ASUU, LASPOTECH ASUP and judiciary workers did not suffer the same fate following the suspension of their recent industrial action. Their salaries were not withheld. We don’t want to believe that the governor is being unfair to doctors.”

Ojo said that the association had met with the House of Assembly, the Commissioner for Health and had written two letters to the governor for a peaceful resolution all to no avail.