Kaduna Strike: Nobody Disconnected Oxygen Supply From Two-Day Old Baby-NLC

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba has said that contrary to claims by the Kaduna State Government that nurses disconnect oxygen supply from a two-day old baby; such action was never carried out by any nurse.

Recall that the Kaduna State government had claimed that some nurses at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna disconnected oxygen supply to a two-day old baby in an incubator in a bid to join the strike action of the Nigerian Labour Congress.

Amina Baloni, the State Commissioner for Health who appeared on NTA network news on Tuesday, disclosed that the ministry got report that a nurse disconnected oxygen supply to the baby and discharged the mother from the hospital.

But speaking at the meeting which had the Minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige and the representatives of the Kaduna state government in attendance, Wabba said that the Union has never carried out any action of forceful removal of persons from their places of work.

He said, “Let me clear this impression, nobody went to the hospital to force workers to join us, even the one they said the baby’s oxygen was removed.

“This issue that brought us here arose because of the policy of Kaduna state government to right size workers.

“Basically, as an organised body, haven operated for 40 years, we have engaged different governments and it can be attested to that NLC believes in the rule of law.”

Speaking further, Wabba noted that the Kaduna state government has refused to follow the provisions on addressing the issues of redundancy, as stated in the labour law.

He said, “The laws says before you contemplate sacking, you should invite labour to discuss relevant issues and terminal benefits, which will be documented and signed by relevant bodies.

“I’m sure we can now see where the gaps exist, our laws are very rich and of global standards, of how social dialogue can be convened, issues discussed and resolution can be reached.”

He explained that the Union resorted to protesting the decision of the government after several attempt to call for dialogue were ignored by the government.

Wabba added, “This action was a matter of last resorts as workers were being thrown out, and nobody to speak for them.

“We wrote several letters, but we didn’t receive any response after being received by the state government.”