We are tired of 50 per cent salary at local govt level, health workers tells Gov Bello

The National Vice President, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, Comrade Onuh Edoka has called on the Kogi State governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to henceforth begin the full payment of health workers salaries in the Local government with immediate effect.

Comrade Edoka made the call at the weekend during the inauguration of the caretaker committee, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, Kogi State chapter.

He said local government workers under CONHEALTH have been receiving 50 percents salary, while that of the state were receiving 78 per cent.

Edoka who is the immediate past chairman of MHWUN, Kogi State chapter explained further that, the leave bonus of workers in the State was last paid in 2013 adding that the promotion of worker in Kogi state has not been Implemented since 2010 saying” every other one that has been done is who knows who and through the back door”.

“These workers are still having their promotion in their hands without being cashback. We there call on the government to consider our members and implement their promotion. It is becoming worrisome for one to be in the same salary for over nine years with the present harsh condition of the nation’s economy.

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“The journey under us was able to put in place a structure to ensure happy salary structure was paid to our workers on option C comfortably. Despite all the struggle then that the government did to us, we were able to migrate from option C to what we are having today CONHEALTH.

“Comrade, as we enjoin the salary structure for quite some time, the government begin to make it very difficult especially at the local government level to enable them to enjoy their 100 per cent. Hence they cut the salary structure and implemented and from that moment upward they started paying us a salary in percentage.

“I would say it clear that the salaries that are paid in percentages is better off than what it used to be. We have witnesses to Salary payment at 15 per cent, 20 per cent, and 30 per cent respectively. But as I speak to you today at the local government level, the salaries are been paid at 50 per cent. However, it is not enough to say what we earn at 50 per cent as our salary is justifiable”

On the newly inaugurated caretaker committee of MHWUN, Comrade Edoka explained that the National Headquarter of the union decided to put a structure of ensuring that a new phase is given to the union.

His words ” Comrade it is important to let you know that in 2009 when I became the chairman of MHWUN Kogi State Chapter, comrade Ojakpa Yusuf handed over to us on the 17the of September 2009 and the leading union of MHWUN started.

“It is important I let all of us know that the first regime ended up in October 2015 with the new one commencing from 2015 till December 2019.

” I see today as a very special and unique day, and happiest day believing that anything that has a beginning, must have an end. Am therefore happy in the journey so far, we have been able to add value to MHWUN in Kogi State”.

Comrade Edoka while pledging his support and non-interference in the newly inaugurated committee, said under is leadership as MHWUN chairman in Kogi State, workers welfare was prioritized, the new secretariat was built in some local government across the State, as various brands of vehicles worth millions of naira were purchased for the union.

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He tasked the caretaker committee to be united and shun any act that will be capable of bringing the down MHWUN in the state.

The newly inaugurated caretaker committee are Gabriel Amiri, Chairman, Alilu Adejo, Vice Chairman, Kashim Agbonika, Treasurer, Badams Kadiri, Trustee, Ajisafe Oluwatoyin, PRO and Salawudeen Yakubu, Auditor.

In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated caretaker committee chairman, Gabriel Amiri promised to uphold the success recorded by the previous administration.

He noted that the challenges faced by labour leaders in the country are real, serious and many stressing that they will operate the units within the ambit of the law.

The caretaker chairman assured that, the union under his watch will operate an open and participatory unionism.