The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives has suspended its nationwide warning strike.
On Saturday, Chidi Aligwe, the Assistant Secretary-General of NANNM, informed our correspondent of this.
In order to emphasize their long-standing demands—which include, among other things, a separate salary structure for nurses, an increase in core duty allowance, a review of shift allowance, a change to uniform allowance, mass recruitment of nurses, and the creation of a nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health—nurses and midwives nationwide began a seven-day warning strike on Wednesday.
After a virtual meeting of the National Executive Council of NANNM on Saturday, the strike was put on hold.
To discuss the needs of its members, the association met with the National Salaries and Wages Commission, the Office of the Head of Service, the Ministry of Labor and Employment, the Office of the Accountant General, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and other pertinent parties on Friday.
“The strike has been suspended,” Aligwe declared. Midwives and nurses must report back to work right away.
The development was also confirmed by a circular signed by the association’s general secretary, T.A. Shettima, and national president, Haruna Mamman, headlined “Suspension of the Ongoing Nationwide Nurses’ Strike.”
According to the circular, following a thorough examination of the Memorandum of Understanding and the agreed-upon time-bound execution framework, NEC decided to halt the strike.
“NEC recognizes the positive actions taken by the Federal Government in responding to the nine core demands of NANNM, especially the commitment to clear timelines for implementation,” the circular stated in part.
“NEC hereby suspends the ongoing nationwide strike action with immediate effect in accordance with the principle of dialogue and good faith, and in light of the formal agreement reached.”
“NEC has instructed the national leadership to keep an eye on the signed Memorandum of Understanding’s execution and monitor the government’s adherence to the established timetables.
State councils are instructed to organize their members for the prompt return to work. NEC decided that no NANNM employee, including locum nurses and interns, should suffer because they took part in the statewide strike.
“NEC affirms that NANNM remains resolute in defending the welfare, dignity, and professional rights of all nurses and midwives in Nigeria and appreciates the dedication and solidarity of all members throughout this action.”
