Akwa Ibom threatens to sack striking health workers

The Akwa Ibom government has ordered striking health workers in the state, under the umbrella of the Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU), to resume work immediately or risk being relieved of their jobs.

In a statement on Wednesday, Charles Udoh, commissioner for information, said the strike embarked upon by JOHESU was “ill-conceived and politically motivated”.

He described the demand for payment of 50 percent of basic salaries as hazard allowance in the prevailing economic climate by JOHESU as “unreasonable”.

According to Udoh, the action of the striking health workers, in spite of concerted efforts by the government to provide the best of working conditions, was unnecessary.

He said the state government had made payment of all due salaries and allowances, adding that Akwa Ibom is one of the best paying states in the health sector.

“The efforts of the state government in this regard have continued to receive widespread commendations from various healthcare stakeholders in the country,” Udoh said.

“Against this backdrop, government is constrained to state that it is unreasonable and also unlawful for healthcare professionals to embark on any form of strike action during the period of Coronavirus pandemic.

“Therefore, full compliments of related healthcare professionals are expected at their duty posts unfailingly, as required by the terms and conditions of their employment.

“Any staff member not found on duty will be considered to be no longer interested in the job and will be relieved of such duty with immediate effect.

“The relevant health authorities have been mandated to conduct headcount.”

Udoh alleged that the industrial action is being sponsored by political detractors with the intent to vandalise the state’s healthcare facilities.

He emphasised that the government had made adequate arrangements to ensure that those interested in performing their “lawful duties” are allowed to do so without disruption or molestation of any sort.

“Anyone found obstructing or disrupting healthcare operations anywhere in the state, under the pretext of industrial action, will be apprehended and prosecuted,” he said.

“It is criminal for anyone to obstruct health care workers from performing their legitimate duties in this period of emergency.

“Government is aware that the ill-conceived industrial action and blatant act of sabotage by JOHESU is sponsored by political detractors with an underlying intent to vandalise healthcare facilities in the state.”

He added that security agencies in the state had been fully briefed to ensure the continued protection of lives and property “using all legal means”.

He also enjoined Akwa Ibom residents to continue to cooperate with the government in the fight against the pandemic.

JOHESU had embarked on the indefinite strike on July 14 to press for higher wages.

The union’s demands include the implementation of 80 percent of the national consolidated health salary structure as paid by the federal government and 50 percent basic salary as hazard allowance.