Nigerian doctors give strike ultimatum over allowances

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2007

LAGOS (AFP) — Nigerian doctors have given the government a 21-day ultimatum to rescind a recent decision to reduce their allowances or face a nationwide strike, an official union statement said.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said the ultimatum takes effect February 12 and that if it was not met it would direct all its members "to withdraw total services."

The union said a recent government decision had resulted in a cut in the take home pay of all doctors.

The union said that during the 21-day period, doctors nationwide "will wear black armbands as a symbol of sympathy towards our deteriorating medical standards."

And it said all doctors would work-to-rule by withdrawing call-duty services during the last seven days of the ultimatum period.

© 2007 AFP