Imo Hospitals Face Shutdown As Health Workers Commence Indefinite Strike

By :Imodailynews Public hospitals in Imo State are facing imminent shutdown as all the major unions of health workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health SectUnions, JOHESU, yesterday threatened to embarked on indefinite strike on Monday over alleged protracted negligence of the plight of their members by the Imo State Government. JOHESU and National Association of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, in a protest letter dated 22/9/2020 had threatened to shut down operations in all public hospitals due to the prolonged delay by Governor Hope Uzodinma's Government in meeting their demands . Comrade Uche Okafor, speaking on behalf the health workers comprising unions of nurses, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, among others, that made up about 95 per cent of health workers and care providers in the health sector, JOHESU said they have issued a fifteen day ultimatum starting on 30/11/2020 for the issues to be addressed .After which JOHASU may not guarantee industrial action in state health sector. . He said ,"its unfortunate to note that up to this moment that these issues have been not been addressed by the Imo State Government. He said among the demands are exclusive of some health workers from payment of CONHESS, non implementation of Covid-19 hazard allowance, nonpayment of salary to some health workers,slashing and short payment of salary and non-fiancial benefit of promotion. Others include payment of month arrears of salary to IMSTH,Orlu ,exclusion of IMSUTH and Amaigbo College of Health in Imo State Pension Scheme,proper commencement /career progression of medical laboratory scientist and physiologist,revised call duty allowance ,employment ,revamping of health facilities ,check off dues among others. The JOHASU chairman said,"we want to put on record with dismay that some health workers have been excluded from the CONHESS salary structure since March 2020 till date In Imo State Specialist Hospital Umuguma. It is against the extant circulars that prescribes the payment of health workers with CONHESS salary structure as adopted and implemented by Imo State Government in March 2020." He said ,"we have noticed with dismay, the nonpayment of salary to our members in affected ministries, Local Government Service, IMSUTH,Specialist Hospital, from February 2020 and in other instances March 2020 till date. It is pertinent to state that this injustice should be discouraged in it entirety. " He said "we want to put on records that since February 2020 till date ,Imo State Government has deliberately withheld the checkoff dues of of our respective union in JOHESU. This is against the trade union act of 2005." "It is also on record that the management of IMSUTH Orlu is owing our respective union in JOHESU 34 months of checkoff dues. We see this attitude of government and IMSUTH management as a deliberate effort to destroy the unions. We therefore demand that our checkoff dues arrears be paid immediately"