The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime for being “lethargic” attitude in resolving the ongoing impasse between his regime and tertiary institutions’ unions.
The health workers threatened to go on a solidarity strike in support of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions.
Biobelemoye Josiah, MHWUN national president, issued the threat in a statement he jointly signed with Auwalu Kiyawa, acting secretary-general of MHWUN, on Sunday in Abuja.
ASUU and other unions in federal government-owned universities, polytechnics and colleges of education have been on strike for more than six months over Mr Buhari’s regime’s failure to meet their demands.
Mr Josiah said MHWUN’s leadership condemned Mr Buhari’s lethargic attitude in resolving the crisis.
“In order to protect the future of our youths whose academic life is being disrupted, we call on the government to implement without further delay all the agreements it had entered with the unions,” declared MHWUN. “We urge the relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari’s earlier directive to resolve all outstanding issues with the unions is backed by immediate acceptable action that would end the stalemate.”
The health workers added, “MHWUN wishes to use this medium to unequivocally state that we firmly stand behind the university-based unions and the clear position of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), leadership in this historic struggle. Our state councils have been put on red alert, and we will not hesitate to declare a solidarity strike in support of the unions if the government fails to resolve the issues within a reasonable time.”
According to MHWUN, no responsible government will close down public tertiary institutions over patriotic demands for better funding of schools and the welfare of teaching and non-teaching staff.
“We are more worried about the development because the academic future of the citizenry is being disrupted, whereas the politicians and top government officials have their children mostly in well-funded and equipped overseas schools or in relatively expensive private schools in Nigeria,” added MHWUN’s statement.
The union also condemned the worsening insecurity across Nigeria.
“Nigerian workers are no longer safe, both in their homes and at workplaces, as many have lost their lives to these enemies of the state. We, therefore, demand a resolute action from the government to end this degrading assault on the sovereignty of our nation,” MHWUN stated.
(NAN)
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