BY EZE CHIMERE, UMUAHIA
Coalition of health workers in Abia State has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the state government to pay the reviewed Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS, to their members or face industrial action.
Already, the coalition, comprising National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, Medical and Health Union of Nigeria, MHUN, and Nigerian Union of Allied Workers, NUAW, has mandated individual unions to start mobilising their members across the state for the planned strike action, if the CONHESS is not paid.
A statement jointly endorsed by the Chairmen of NANNM, Ngozi Duke; MHUN, Offor Solomon; and NUAHW, Oparaocha Chibueze, explained that the 15-day ultimatum followed the expiration of the 21 days ultimatum earlier issued to government which expired on March 26 without any response.
According to the unions, the demands contained in the 21 days ultimatum were not addressed by government as no official formally engaged them in discussion over the unpaid consolidated salary structure.
“However, the reason for the continued delay in payment is what we don’t know, as no one has communicated in that direction.
“This undue delay has thrown our members into a state of financial hardship which is not just unacceptable, but undermines the well-being and motivation of health workers who are essential to the delivery of quality services in Abia State.
“The coalition of Abia health union is compelled to invoke Section 41 of the Trade Dispute Act Cap T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria to issue 15 days notice of withdrawal of services if our demand is not reasonably addressed,” the statement reads in part.
Health workers had, during a recent zonal meeting of their unions in Umuahia, threatened to embark on strike if the reviewed CONHESS is not immediately implemented.
But one of Governor Alex Otti’s aides present at the meeting had urged the health workers to exercise patience as their matter is being addressed.
