Dare Babalola
Following salary reduction of their members, the Medical Guild, the umbrella association for all medical and dental practitioners employed by the Lagos State Government, has embarked on a a three-day warning strike.
This was confirmed in a statement jointly signed by Dr Japhet Olugbogi, the Chairman and Dr Adekunle Akinade, the Secretary of the association.
In the statement, the association condemned the state government for deducting the salaries of all Medical practitioners in its employ without prior notice during the time of hardship in the country.
The statement added that efforts to resolve the dispute without industrial action failed as the state treasury office implemented a reduction in the salary paid to all Medical and Dental practitioners employed by the Lagos state Government in July.
They also threatened to commence an indefinite strike if the government failed to revert to the old pay.
The doctors said that this “singular act and repeated provocation by the Government is highly regrettable, illegal, a breach of trust and cordial agreement and totally frowned at by the labour law.
“Moreso, at this period of economic stagflation caused by the harsh policies of the government itself and the Japa syndrome, when other states are doing all that is humanly possible to encourage and motivate their health workforce.
“Let it be known that the most senior doctor in the Lagos State employment does not earn up to 1,100 US dollar and the Government in its wisdom feels that reducing that meagre income is the best way to encourage and motivate the health workforce in the state.
“Consequently, rising from a well attended Emergency General Assembly of the Medical Guild held on the 26th of July 2025 attended by over 385 doctors were present and after an extensive deliberations of the issues, The congress resolves as follows;
“Congress directs all members of the Medical Guild to proceed on a total withdrawal of service, from Monday 8am, the 28th of July 2025 to 8am Thursday 31st July, 2025, if government fails to reverse the illegally deducted funds and payment of the 12 month revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary Consultants in LASUTH.
“A 21-day ultimatum should be given to the LASG after the strike and at the expiration of the ultimatum, if our demands are not met, an indefinite strike should commence forthwith.
“We are by this medium calling on our compassionate Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to kindly intervene to ensure the reversal of the illegally deducted funds in order to forestall the breakdown of peace in the health sector. We appreciate all our resilient congress men and women for the sacrifice they have made so far.”
