By Jelili Olawale, Ile-Ife
Workers of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) Ile-Ife have appealed to the Federal Government to process the payment of their over 12 months salary arrears.
In a letter made available to Nigerian NewsDirect, the workers under the aegis of the Association of Unpaid OAUTHC workers called for their inclusion on the IPPIS platform of the Federal Government.
The letter addressed to the Minister of Health read, “We pen down our collective distress, enduring over twelve grueling months of tireless work without a single remuneration. Amidst the prevailing economic challenges, subjecting the families of over 5,000 dependants to such distress is not just burdensome but perilous.
“Sir, our recruitment involved a costly screening process, each of us bearing a financial burden of no less than N50,000. Deployed to various departments, we have steadfastly contributed our skills to support the system, expecting fair compensation. Our commitment to OAUTHC has been unwavering.
“Families uprooted from Abuja, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Lagos, and across the nation are grappling with extreme difficulties. Some among us languish on sickbeds without means for medical treatment, and regrettably, a few have succumbed to these dire circumstances. Suicidal attempts, numbering four to five, have only narrowly been averted. The ominous uncertainty of our future weighs heavily upon us.
“Aware of your compassionate history, we earnestly implore you to leverage your esteemed position to promptly address our plight. Your intervention in facilitating the payment of our overdue salaries and integrating us into the IPPIS platform would be a lifeline. We place our trust in the renewed hope agenda and appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through your esteemed office, to revive our optimism and restore normalcy to our lives.
“Despite our challenges, we pledge to remain calm, hopeful, and resilient in this pursuit of survival. We express our gratitude for your understanding and eagerly anticipate your prompt attention to effect the much needed rescue,” the letter read.