Ekiti workers' strike suffers setback as health workers withdraw

The strike action by workers in Ekiti State called by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, suffered a setback on Friday as the Joint Health Sector Union announced its withdrawal from the strike.

A letter addressed to the Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, said the unions had taken a look at how the strike would affect those who needed their care and decided to pull out.

The letter, signed by Kunle Esan, Chairman, NUAHP; E.O. Martins-Adetoye, Chairman, NANNM; and S.I. Olajide, Chairman, MHWUN, noted that the decision was based on the love and passion they have for the sick and suffering.

“Having taken into consideration, the situation of things in the state vis-a-vis the strike action called by the Nigeria Labour Congress/Trade Union Congress and how it affects our people who need medical care, the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, EKSUTH, has decided to suspend her participation in the ongoing industrial action,” the letter read.

“Our decision is based on the love and passion that we have for those who need our services and it is our hope that the state government will reciprocate our good intentions and gestures, by the payment of our January 2016 salary on or before the close of work on Thursday 2nd June 2016.”

The unions however expressed their support for the NLC/TUC agitations in the state with regards to the payment of the outstanding salary arrears, payment of gratuities and pensions among others.