CDWR CONDEMNS BRUTAL ATTACKS ON THE WORKERS OF FEDERAL HOSPITAL ENUGU
CDWR CONDEMNS BRUTAL ATTACKS ON THE WORKERS OF FEDERAL HOSPITAL ENUGU
MANAGEMENT SHOULD IMMEDIATELY MEET ALL WORKERS’ DEMANDS
The Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights (CDWR) condemns the unprovoked attack on the protesting workers of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, on Friday 5th May 2015 by thugs reported sponsored by the management.
As reported in the Guardian newspaper of Sunday June 7, 2015, the protesting workers were forced to declare an indefinite strike on the penultimate day, 4th May 2015, by the management’s refusal to address their demands such as unpaid arrears of allowances, promotions and other benefits. Instead of conceding to workers’ simple demands, Mr. Jojo Onwukwe, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, responded to the strike action in bestial approach of hiring armed thugs to beat up the protesting workers.
According to news reports, the said attack took place in the full glare of a team of the police led by the Area Commander, Abakpa, Mark Igwe and the operatives of the Department of State Security Service (DSS). It was worrisome that the workers’ ordeal became compounded on the arrival of Divisional Police Officer at New Haven, Enugu as the officer himself joined the thugs to unleash terror on the peaceful protesting workers. Tens of the workers including the chairman of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHUSU), Mr. Alozie Ejimmadu the leader of the protesting workers who got a head cut in the process.
We dare to say that the police are an accomplice in this unethical act which we condemn in totality. Workers have the inalienable right to strike and peaceful protest to press home their demands. An attempt to deny them this right is undemocratic, unconstitutional and criminal.
Therefore, we call on the Enugu state government and the Inspector General of Police, Joseph Arase to investigate the treacherous role of men of Nigerian police Force who were at the scene of this brutality by the hired thugs and bring whoever is found culpable to book. We call on the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to mobilise mass support and organise solidarity actions for the striking workers, and thereby help force the management to accede to the demands of the workers.