From: Kabiru Birnin Kudu
A group of medical interns at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, have declared an indefinite strike effective 19 May 2025, citing widespread salary deductions, delayed payments, and outright non-payment of wages, which they described as “unjust, unexplained, and financially crippling.”
In a press release signed by the ‘Concerned Interns’, they voiced frustration over deductions that began without prior notice or explanation, leaving many unable to meet their basic needs amid worsening economic conditions.
“These deductions were neither clearly communicated nor justified, despite our repeated efforts to seek clarification,” the statement read.
Compounding the issue, the interns claim discrepancies between their official pay slips and the amounts credited to their accounts, particularly from December 2024, when multiple months’ taxes were allegedly deducted from a single salary.
“Our payment slips now reflect the new minimum wage, yet the actual sums received fall far below even the former threshold,” they complained, highlighting growing mistrust between them and hospital management.
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Interns who have gone unpaid for several months also expressed anger over the lack of urgency in resolving their cases, stating that the delays have “disrupted personal and family budgets, leading to stress and instability.”
A previous promise from management to regularise payments by January 2025, according to the interns, was broken as the situation “only worsened” with even smaller payments and further confusion.
“Interns have the right to transparent and timely compensation that aligns with the figures on our slips,” the group stated.
In response to what they termed a “consistent disregard for fairness and clarity,” the interns announced their collective decision to begin a strike action starting at midnight on Monday.
They demanded that “all deductions be explained and justified, and that salary payments be made promptly moving forward.”
The strike is scheduled to take place within the hospital premises.
