By Matthew Denis
The Kwara State Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) will next week Wednesday begin an indefinite strike.
The union had earlier given the state government a 19-day ultimatum to meet their demands which will lapse on May 1, 2018.
Their demands are; upward review of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) from 50 per cent to 100 per cent, promotion of staff without financial backing to be addressed immediately, and payment of outstanding arrears of salaries owned the staff of local government councils in the state.
Speaking shortly after the union’s congress held at Pake area, Ilorin, the state Chairman of MHWUN, Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka said, “The indefinite strike will commence midnight of May 2, 2018.”
He stated that the union would not go back on its decision until the Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed led administration do the needful.
“I don’t think the state government will respond to our demands before that day because we have made series of moves in ensuring government look into our demands but they turned deaf ears.
“If they make a move now, it is likely going to be a meeting but, it is until when we see approval for our demands before we make a u-turn on the industrial action,” he said.
The chairman noted that the state government stated recently that the state is gradually getting out of recession and its economy has improved, lamenting that government have failed to recognize the health sector.
He said, “The state government noted that the economy has improved and we could see the reality and they allotted millions of naira to themselves. Workers are not slaves so we have to make this struggle a totality until government responds to our demands.
Olayinka calls on his colleagues to be law abiding and abide by instructions from the labour leaders.
He said, ” If there is any development to the lingering issue we’ll convey them appropriately.
When contacted last night, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ahmed on Media and Communications, Dr. Muideen Akorede informed National Pilot that the state government is looking into their (health workers’) request
