From Joseph Obukata (The New Diplomat’s N’Delta Correspondent)
The Akwa Ibom State government has issued a warning notice to striking health professionals in the state to resume work immediately or risk being sacked.
This was contained in a statement signed by the commissioner for information, Mr. Charles Udoh on Wednesday in which he described the strike action embarked upon by the Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) as “ill-conceived and politically motivated”.
Recalls the JOHESU had on July 14 directed all its members to down tools in the state indefinitely to prod the state government to implement 80 per cent of the National Consolidated Health Salary Structure as paid by the federal government as well as 50 per cent basic salary increase as hazard allowance.
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But the state government, in a warning statement on Wednesday described as ‘unreasonable’ JOHESU’s demand for payment of 50% of basic salaries as hazard allowance in the prevailing harsh economic climate.
State Commissioner for Information, Udoh, in the statement said. “This is in spite of concerted efforts by government to provide the best of working conditions for health workers in the state, including up to date payment of all due salaries and allowances, which makes our state one of the best paying states in the health sector.
“The efforts of the state government in this regard has continued to receive widespread commendations from various healthcare stakeholders in the country.
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“Against this backdrop, government is constrained to state that it is unreasonable and also unlawful for healthcare professionals to embark on any form of strike action during period of Coronavirus pandemic.
“Therefore, a full compliment of related healthcare professionals are expected at their duty posts unfailingly, as required by the terms and conditions of their employment.
“Any staff not found on duty will be considered to be no longer interested in the job and will be relieved of such duty with immediate effect. The relevant health authorities have been mandated to conduct head count”.
The government stated that it has made adequate arrangements to ensure that those who are interested in performing their lawful duties are allowed to do so without disruption or molestation of any sort.
“Anyone found obstructing or disrupting healthcare operations any where in the state, under the pretext of an industrial action, will be apprehended and prosecuted.
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“It is criminal for anyone to obstruct health care workers from performing their legitimate duties in this period of emergency
According to him, Government is aware that the ill conceived industrial action and blatant act of sabotage by JOHESU is sponsored by political detractors with an underlying intent to vandalize healthcare facilities in the state.
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The government disclosed that security agencies in the state have been fully briefed to ensure the continued protection of lives and property, using all legal means.
The commissioner enjoined Akwa Ibom residents to continue to cooperate with government in the fight to curtail the surge of the COVID19 Pandemic in the state.
