From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin City

The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has embarked on an indefinite strike to protest alleged deductions from their December salaries by the state government.

The state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, had issued a “No Work, No Pay” threat to doctors in the state for participating in a nationwide warning strike embarked upon by the NMA.

Chairman of Edo NMA, Emmanuel Ighodaro, said the association in a letter written to the state government had promised to carry out an industrial action if the “No Work, No Pay” threat is enforced.

Ighadora accused the government of “selective victimization,” noting that lecturers at the government owned Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma who joined their counterpart in the federal universities in a strike action that lasted six months, were not penalised in any way.

Also, the state chapter of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over an alleged removal of the names of over 40 staff of the High/Magistrate Court and Customary Court of Appeal from the payroll in the month of December, 2013.

Chairman of the union, K. Igbarago said that the State Chief Judge, Cromwell Idahosa, has been mandated to discuss with Oshiomhole on the possibility of resolving the issue amicably, adding that members would be duly consulted before action is taken, if state government remained adamant on the issue.