Health workers in OAUTHC join indefinite strike
By Jeleel Olawale
The Health workers in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex(OAUTHC), has joined their colleagues at Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Health Care Professional Association (AHPA) on indefinite strike nationwide.
Comrade Abdullateef Adeyeni, the Chairman Joint Action Committee of Union OAUTHC made this known during an Interview with NewsDirect in Ile-Ife.
Adeyeni, who doubles as Chairman Senior Staff Association of Universities’ Teaching Hospitals Research Institutes and Associated Institutions(SAUTHRIAI) said that the staff has been directed to stay away from work untill they were called back.
The Chairman adding that the strike embarked upon were the direction from the executive members of the unions which was called for due to the federal government failure to meet their demands since 2009.
“Since 2009, two salary tables were created by Federal Government, one for doctors and the other one for health workers; that of the doctors has been reviewed four times while our remains untouched.
“We’ve pleaded to the present administration severally to consider the inflation and the value of Nigeria notes, but all our efforts to review our salary structures proved abortive.
“Surprisingly, last two weeks, the doctors said they need another review, which was forth times, hurriedly, the government called them back, whereas they said that there’s no money for us, but there’s money for doctors,” he said.
The Chairman explained that double standard for doctors is causing strive in health sector, not until fairness, justice, equity prevails, there cannot be peace.
Adeyeni said that recently, the Federal Government approved 40% peculiar allowance for all Federal workers excluding health personnel.
He reiterated that unions’ demand for immediate payment of the omission and shortfall in the COVID-19 hazard/inducement allowances of affected health workers in the federal health institutions.
Others includes recognition of health workers in non-core hospital facilities in the payment of new hazard allowances and payment and inculcation of peculiar allowances to health workers under the JOHESU/AHPA.
He admonished for speedy implementation of the increase in retirement age from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for consultants in the health professions.
