The union said it was disheartening that after over a year of engagement with the government, no meaningful action has been taken to address issues in contention with the union.
By Solomon Azu, Guardian Newspaper
A 21-day ultimatum has been given to the Cross River State Government by the Joint Action Committee of the Health Sector to address issues in contention with the union or risk an industrial action by its members.
The ultimatum is in a letter addressed to the governor, signed by the chairman and secretary of six unions within the health sector.
These include Enya Ideba, Chairman of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Emmanuel Amor Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), and Josephine Bassey State Chairperson of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
The union said it was disheartening that after over a year of engagement with the government, no meaningful action has been taken to address issues in contention with the union.
“In light of the above and the apparent inaction of the government to address the needs of the health sector, we are compelled to infer that the government is not willing or ready to attain to the needs of the health sector in Cross River State,” they said.
“Consequently, unions in the health sector have decided to jointly embark on industrial action to press home our demands.
“This action begins with a twenty-one (21) days ultimatum beginning from Monday,13″ January 2025.”
The union enumerated the seven key issues in contention with the state government to include payment of I00% CONMESS (2024 review) for Medical Doctors and Dentists in Cross River State and Payment of 100% CONHESS (2024 review) for Medical and Health Workers, Nurses and Midwives, Pharmacists and Medical Laboratory Scientists.
Others are proper implementation of the new national minimum wage for all categories of health workers in the state, review of hazard allowance, and implementation of new entry point and terminal level for medical laboratory scientists.
When contacted, the Special Adviser to the Cross River State governor on Labour Matters, Clarkson Otu, said the Joint Action Committee of Health Sector has yet to put him on notice about the strike.