PRESIDENT of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, on Thursday warned that the congress would lead workers on a nationwide strike over the planned deduction of five per cent from their salaries under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Addressing the opening of the NLC National Executive Council (NEC) in Asaba, Delta State, the NLC president expressed the opposition of the congress to the plan, adding that workers would resist it with all means, including going on strike.
�The congress has learnt that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has plans to initiate a five per cent deduction from salaries of workers into the scheme. This is unacceptable and we wish to call on the NHIS to order. Nigerian workers are already being weighed down by too many deductions such as the housing fund, contributory pension and a harsh personal income tax regime.
�We will resist this deduction with all means, including an industrial action. For now, employers are responsible for the health expenses of workers based on the standard conditions of service in both public and private sectors. We insist that the terms of our condition of service be maintained.�