Amidst Coronavirus Crisis, Abuja Doctors Embarks On Indefinite Strike Over Non-Payment Of Salaries

The Abuja Chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA) on Tuesday began an indefinite strike to protest the non-payment of their salaries.

The industrial action is coming at a very critical time when the federal government just announced a third confirmed case of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, the ARD-FCTA president, Roland Aigbovo said the doctors were embarking on the strike because they had not been paid their salary for two months.

The doctors said the “difficult decision” was taken after deliberation on the threat of Coronavirus, working conditions in hospitals and care of patients.

Mr Aigbovo said doctors have been thrown into financial distress due to the non-payment of their salaries and despite repeated warnings and ultimatum, nothing has been done by authorities.

He said there has been salary irregularities and shortfalls since the migration to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System by the FCTA.

The ARD-FCTA president warned that other health workers who are also affected by the salary shortfalls will join the mass action within 48 hours if their demands.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has banned all public officials and workers from travelling abroad aspart of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.