@Fmohnigeria Press Statement: Are We In Democracy or Autocracy

Posted on: Tue 19-06-2018

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH (FMOH) PRESS STATEMENT RE: ARE WE IN DEMOCRACY OR AUTOCRACY

The attention of the Federal Ministry of Health has been drawn to one and a half pages of press Statement in the Nation Newspaper of Monday 11th June, 2018, titled: "Are we in a democracy or autocracy" issued by the Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) in which the Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole id being accused for the non-payment of salaries to JOHESU members that embarked on a needless strike action between 18th April, 2018 to 3rd June, 2018 (47Days).

It is pertinent to note that No Work No pay law of the Federal Government subsists and has been applied to all striking workers irrespective of their labour Union.

This Law was applied to National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) of Nigeria when they embarked on a nationwide strike in the August to early September 2017.

Consequently, the implemented No Work No Pay law is not peculiar to JOHESU. It was also applied to Nurses at LUTH, Idi-Araba, Lagos. It is therefore very important to note that the Law has been in existence long before this administration but if the previous administrations lacked the political will to implement this law, it does not mean that the law is not in existence.

The FMOH would like to refer SSAUTHRIAI to the circular with Ref, No 58598/s.1/11/182 of 22nd June, 2016 Issued by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) titled "INCESSANT STRIKE ACTIONS IN MINISTROES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES: IMPLEMENTATION OF "NO WORK NO PAY" POLICY OF THE FEDRAL GOVERNMENT" in which all the Ministers, permanent Secretary and Heads of Government Agencies were directed to strictly enforce the provision of the circular.

It is therefore unfortunate and callous of SSAUTHRIAI to unjustly put the blame of the consequences of their strike action on the Honourable Minister of Health.

The fact that the Governing Boards of the Hospitals have been constructed and inaugurated does not erode the powers of the Federal Ministry of Health from exercising her supervisory functions, providing leadership and direction over the Federal Health Institutions with the sole aim of delivering quality health services to the public.

The FMOH would like neither the state once more that we have neither sighted nor in procession of any agreement between FMOH and JOHESU prior to that of 30th September, 2017.

Out of 15points demand by JOHESU, the Federal Government has met 14 and the only one left had been referred to the high level body (HLB) which was still being deliberated upon by JOHESU and Federal Government before the unfortunate call for a strike action.

The FMOH hereby calls on JOHESU or any of its affiliate Unions to publish such agreement if indeed it exists.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government will continue to enforce the law of No-Work-No-Pay at all times bearing in mind that health sector is one of the essential services that ate prohibited by law from embarking on strike action.

Nevertheless, the Federal Ministry of Health will continue to engage the Staff, Labour unions and all other stakeholders to ensure a conducive work environment for quality service delivery.

Signed:

Permanent Secretary

Federal Ministry of Health