The Nigerian Government has been issued with a 21-day ultimatum by the Association of Medical and Dental Academics, NAMDA. It warned that should the government fail to address their demands within the time frame; a nationwide indefinite strike would be inevitable.
NewsBits reports that the President of NAMDA, Nosa Orhue, issued the deadline on Tuesday. Orhue, who addressed journalists after the association’s National Executive Council, NEC, meeting, stating that the government is expected to conclude negotiations within the period.
He warned that the NEC would reconvene to determine its next line of action if dialogue fails within the stipulated time, adding that despite repeated agreements, the association was dissatisfied that negotiations on the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement have been stalled since April 9.
According to him, while improved welfare packages had been implemented for other university unions, NAMDA members have so far been excluded, noting that the exclusion led to the non-payment of earned academic and professorial allowances and worsening brain drain among medical academics.
The president of the union further stressed that the dispute was due to salary disparities between university-based medical lecturers and hospital consultants performing identical professional duties.
He clarified that medical academics combine teaching, research and clinical responsibilities, including patient care, surgeries and hospital administration, pointing out that despite maintaining the same professional qualifications and practising licences, they earn less than their counterparts in the hospital system.
“We shall embark on industrial action if after 21 days our demands are not met. The Federal Government had previously recognised the unique status of medical academics through their placement on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, (CONMESS).
“The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, supported salary parity and communicated the position to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission,” he said.
