Strike: Senior Medical Workers Give Federal Govt 1 Week Ultimatum

Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes, Hospital and Federal Medical Centre Sector Workers yesterday issued a one-week ultimatum to the federal government to pay hazard allowance arears to their members.

The unions warned that if the federal government fails to release funds within a period of  one week and attend to other issues raised, the unions would be left with no choice than lay down their tools.

It called on the federal government to within the period of one week meet the demands of the unions to avoid crippling the system.

A communique signed by acting sector chairman Comrade Kabir Mustapha and acting secretary, Comrade Joseph Ugwoke, respectively, sighted by LEADERSHIP Friday frowned at what it described as selective treatment by the government in payment of medical doctors’ allowances.

The communique maintained that for a period of four to five months, arrears had been paid in tranches to doctors without recourse   to pay other health workers which the union claimed has heightened  tension in the health sector.

“It therefore, resolved that it can no longer guarantee continued services if our members are not paid all the arrears within one week to avoid industrial crisis in the health sector.

“Notes with dismay the rate at which health workers especially professionals are migrating out of the country for greener pasture.

“It is sad to reveal that most of our health institutions are deteriorating, conditions surrounding work place activities are not suitable and there are no adequate consumables for health workers to work with, as well as poor welfare package and other socio-economic conditions in the country,” the communique stated.

The unions called for proactive measures to be taken to rectify the situation, calling on the federal government to implement the September 30, 2017 agreement on adjustment of CONHESS Salary Structure, which it agreed to implement to the letter within 5 weeks of signing the agreement about five years ago.