New Telegraph

NARD rejects reviewed hazard allowance, wants agreement implemented

…accuses FG of betrayal, one sided conclusion

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), has rejected the recently reviewed the hazard allowance applicable to health workers in the services of federal hospitals, medical centres and clinics in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the country.

According to NARD, the reviewed allowance communicated through a circular from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), signifies the Federal Government’s betrayal for failing to respect the collective bargaining agreement it had with the union and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

A statement signed by NARD President, Dr Dare Godiya Ishaya and the Secretary-General, Dr Suleiman Abiodun on Friday in Abuja, noted that the reviewed allowance was a one sided conclusion and advised government to implement the NARD/NMA final position reached during their negotiations.

The statement reads: “The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is in receipt of a circular with reference no. SWC/S/04/S.218/11/406 dated 22nd December 2021 from the office of the Executive Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) concerning the review of the Hazard Allowance.

“In the said circular, the Hazard Allowance was reviewed to a flat rate that ranges from N5,000 to between N15,000 and N34,000 for Health Workers on the CONHESS salary structure, while Doctors on CONMESS had theirs reviewed from N5,000 to between N32,000 to N40,000.

“Whilst we acknowledge the Federal Government’s frantic efforts in improving the welfare of Health Workers in Nigeria in this regard, we wish to state that, this resolution is a far cry from the Final Position of NMA/NARD in the last meeting with the Federal Government.

“Hence, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) are disenchanted and dissatisfied with this resolution and therefore reject it in its entirety.

“This new hazard circular is not the product of a true collective bargaining agreement (CBA), but a one-sided conclusion that betrayed the spirit of sincere amicable wage negotiations.

“We, therefore, call for the implementation of the content of the NMA/NARD’s Final Position on Percentage and the rates for Hazard Allowance which is designed to avoid another unnecessarily lengthy and tortuous negotiation process in future.”

Read Previous

Christmas: IGP orders coordinated crime prevention strategies nationwide

Read Next

Christmas: Kalu calls for religious tolerance, harmony

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *