The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has accused Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) of victimisation, discrimination, and abuse of labour rights after punitive actions were allegedly taken against approximately 200 nurses who participated in a lawful strike in 2024.

In a statement released on Monday, signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide on behalf of the forum, ENF condemned the “unlawful, discriminatory, and punitive actions” targeting nurses, many of whom are newly employed and on probation.

According to the forum, the affected nurses were hired with appointment letters stipulating a two-year probationary period, after which confirmation and career progression would follow in line with public service rules. However, ENF alleged that hospital authorities had withheld confirmations, blocked access to confirmatory examinations, deducted salaries, withheld earned wages, and issued threats of permanent non-confirmation—actions taken solely because the nurses participated in a union-directed strike.

“Participation in a lawful industrial action mandated by a recognised trade union is protected under the Constitution, the Trade Disputes Act, and principles of collective bargaining. No employer has the legal authority to punish workers for exercising this right,” the forum said.

ENF rejected claims that probationary status justified the sanctions, describing such reasoning as “legally untenable”, and emphasised that probation does not nullify constitutional rights, labour protections, or freedom of association.

The forum also raised concerns over selective enforcement, noting that doctors employed under similar probationary terms were reportedly not subjected to reprisals despite participating in industrial action under NARD. ENF described this as evidence of discrimination, professional bias, and administrative abuse.

ENF demanded:

• Immediate confirmation of all eligible nurses
• Full access to confirmatory examinations
• Payment of all withheld salaries
• Withdrawal of threats linked to strike participation
• Equal treatment of nurses and doctors under similar employment conditions
• Public assurance from the hospital management and Benue State Government against retaliation
• An independent investigation into the alleged violations

“The Elegant Nurses Forum stands firmly with the affected nurses and will escalate this matter to regulatory bodies, labour institutions, human rights organisations, and the public if these injustices persist,” the statement concluded.
“Nurses are not second-class professionals. Labour rights are not privileges. Justice delayed is justice denied.”