By Our Correspondent
Government health facilities were shut down on Monday across the 16 Local government areas of Kwara state as health workers declared a three-day warning strike to demand for better working conditions.
Strong indications however, emerged on Monday evening that the aggrieved workers may resume work on Tuesday(today)following interventions by the state government and stakeholders in the health sector.
The health workers are demanding that same salary and allowances paid nurses and doctors be paid across board to all workers in the state’s health facilities.
The state Chairman of the health workers, Bolatito Oladele, who spoke to our correspondent in Ilorin on Monday, said “the state government is not paying the same amount being paid to others such as nurses, midwives and doctors who are receiving 100% CONHESS hazard allowances.
“The state government is paying others N3,000 hazard allowance instead of N30,000 as the normal amount it is supposed to pay across board to all health workers.
“You are paying 70% out of the 100% which is supposed to be paid of the CONHESS salary and you said we should report for work for seven days, while others only work for three days.
“Nurses, midwives and doctors are receiving 100% of their salaries and hazard allowances, is it only nurses and doctors that work in the hospitals and health facilities across the state?
“What about medical laboratory scientists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, image scientists and videographers among others and other staff working in the hospitals? the chairman queried.
Bolatito, argued that whatever is done for any medical personnel, should cut across board for other staff generally.
He disclosed that the state government was given a seven-day notice for the three-day warning strike and will be implemented if by next week there is no positive response to their demands.
“I have received several calls from the state Health Commissioner, Head of Service, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor among others on the need to suspend the warning strike as government will definitely meet the demands of the health workers.
“If by next week the demands of the workers are not met, we may embark on a full blown indefinite strike action to press home our demands,” Bolatito declared.
