Ondo Labour Accuses Teaching Hospital of Union Victimisation

Organised labour unions in Ondo State have accused the management of the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH) of victimising and harassing workers over their membership of trade unions. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the hospital, warning that failure to address their concerns could lead to an indefinite strike and the shutdown of the facility.

In a letter jointly signed by the Ondo State NLC Chairman, Demola Olopade, and his TUC counterpart, Clement Fatuwase, the unions alleged that workers were being intimidated, discriminated against and pressured because of their lawful union activities. They also accused the hospital management of breaching the Memorandum of Understanding governing the institution's transition to federal ownership by excluding some workers from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) enrolment exercise.

The labour unions demanded the immediate enrolment of all workers listed on the agreed nominal roll into the IPPIS, an end to alleged intimidation of union members and full compliance with the transition agreement. They warned that if the hospital failed to meet their demands within the stipulated period, organised labour would invoke lawful industrial dispute mechanisms, including an indefinite strike.

Responding to the allegations, FUTATH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olusegun Ojo, denied victimising workers or breaching the Memorandum of Understanding. He maintained that the hospital had complied with the agreement and described the accusations as a misunderstanding of the transition process, urging labour leaders to embrace dialogue rather than actions that could disrupt healthcare services.