Enugu Health Workers Demand Similar Salary Structure As Doctors, Begin Strike

The Joint Health Union of Nigeria, Enugu State chapter, Tuesday, commenced an industrial action to protest non-approval and implementation of their Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CHSS). The union is made up of pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, radiographers, optometrists, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives as well as Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.

The chairman, Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals Association, Enugu State Council, Comrade Ben Asogwa, said the strike was sequel to the expiration of the ultimatum given to the state government. According to him, the state government paid medical doctors in its employ 100 percent salary increment without regards to other health workers.

In his words, “His Excellency the governor set up a committee to look into the health issues as regards salaries. The committee was chaired by the secretary to the state government. While we were sitting in that committee, the state government went ahead to approve and implement a 100-percent salary increment for doctors, and overlooked other health professionals. You cannot come to a particular sector and pay one group and leave others.”

In a speech, the chairman, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Enugu State chapter, Comrade Ezekiel Omeh, said the industrial action was the last option after several negotiations with the government. He also appealed to Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to urgently address the issue in the interest of the public.

He said, “What we demanded is a salary structure implementation, which has a chart. Padding any money on top of our salary emolument without using the chart to pay us is not the solution. This has killed the morale of our colleagues. Reports reaching us indicate that there is a total compliance in all general hospitals in the state.”

The chairman, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Comrade Innocent Ezema, said, “To single out doctors from the salary structure despite sharing the same risk is unacceptable. Many nurses tested positive for this coronavirus, and it is unfair to single out doctors for this payment only. We are facing the same risk.”

A visit to ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, showed that the industrial action witnessed full compliance. Meanwhile, some patients have appealed for the immediate resolution of the issues in contention to avoid posing dangers to their health.