x

Strike Persists as Kaduna Govt and Health Workers Union Meetings End in Deadlock

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Primary healthcare (PHC) centers across Kaduna State remain locked as meetings between the state’s health workers union and government officials ended without a resolution.

This was confirmed by a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) after visiting several health facilities in the Kaduna Zone. The Co-Chairman of the Kaduna Maternal Accountability Mechanism (KADMAM), Comrade Isah Gidado, stated, “I just returned from Zone 3, and the strike is still ongoing. All PHCs are closed. The government held two meetings with the unions last week, but no resolution was reached.”

The strike, led by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in Kaduna, was declared indefinitely in response to unmet demands. These include the payment of a 30% balance on the 2009 salary structure agreed upon in a 2015 memorandum of understanding with the state government.

Comrade Ishaku Yakubu, a union leader, explained that healthcare workers in Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, who are fully on the 2009 salary structure, are also demanding an upgrade to the 2019 salary scale. He highlighted other concerns, such as the non-implementation of the 2021 hazard allowance for Ministry of Health workers, although the allowance has been implemented at Barau Dikko.

Additionally, the union is advocating for the payment of eight months of salary arrears owed to workers employed in April 2023, who only began receiving payments in February 2024.

“We are also in solidarity with our colleagues who are owed these arrears. These are the reasons for the strike,” Comrade Yakubu said.

The coalition of CSOs, led by KADMAM, met with the union leaders to better understand the reasons behind the strike and explore ways they could assist through advocacy. “We had a productive discussion with them, and they have promised to advocate on our behalf to the relevant stakeholders,” Yakubu added.

He mentioned that the union had agreed to consult its members about the possibility of reconsidering the strike, but insisted that their demands must first be met. “If the government provides a genuine and tangible commitment to addressing our demands in writing by the end of October, we are ready to call off the strike immediately.”

The strike, which began in early October 2024, has severely affected healthcare services in the state, with no resolution in sight unless Governor Uba Sani takes action to meet the union’s demands.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalistAs...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

A’Ibom Lawmaker, Edidem, lauds Tinubu over Akpabio’s SSDC appointment

By Ogenyi OgenyiDeputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom Assembly,...

Dr. Uduak Silas Obot Laid to Rest in His Country Home

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, YenagoaThe remains of Dr. Uduak Silas Obot,...

Bayelsa Governor Lauds Security Agencies for Synergy

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, YenagoaBayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has...

Bayelsa Cult Attack Claims Two Lives

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, YenagoaTwo Niger Delta University graduates were brutally...

B’Haram: Zulum approves 35 patrol vehicles, motorcycles for Borno community

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaBorno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum,...

Adulterated soya beans oil producing factory discover in Kaduna

By Achadu Gabriel, kadunaApparently owing to severity of hardship...

Judge Faces Compulsory Retirement for Misconduct in Kogi

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaAn area court Judge, Alemeru Adekunle...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img