JOINT Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) in Enugu state has given the State government 21-days ultimatum (with effect from July 9) to comply with the payment of consolidated Health Salary Structure or the union will direct its members to down tools. The health workers are calling for a100 per cent compliance for workers in the tertiary, secondary and primary health care levels and as well pay the two months April and May 2011 salaries withheld “despite the court ruling in our favour.” 

 

In a statement, the union urged Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime to approve and pay the salary structure to avoid the negative effects the proposed strike may cause the public. The statement was signed by Phillis Uzokwe,  R. A Nweze and Ben Asogwa representing Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Medical and Health Workers Union and Allied Health Professionals, the Joint Health Sector Unions.

 

The union said it can no longer accept what it called the “continuous insensitivity” of the State Government to implement the salary structure to health workers since 2010 despite all efforts.

They noted that “government had by singling out only the Medical Doctors as a profession among Health Professionals being more important and relevant in the Health Industry which insinuates that all others in the industry are less important.

“We have maintained patience and loyalty for more than three years since the implementation of the salary structure in the country in January 2010.

 

“It is pertinent to note that the State Government had dragged the Health Workers to court and seized two month salary even when the court ruled in our favour.”