Usman Iliya – Kaduna
Kaduna State government has warned against the planned strike by the Congress of Health Workers Unions and Associations in the State.
The State government has, therefore, introduced a register to be signed by those willing to work with the government, despite the salary-cut.
Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communications in a statement said government would not be misled into granting health workers a special status amongst public servants.
Recall that the Congress of Health Workers Unions and Associations in Kaduna had in a communique among other things, demanded the refund of the 25 percent of their salaries that were cut-down by the state government and the provision of Personal Protective Equipments, failure which will lead to a strike.
But the State government in its response, said the government rejects the strike threat and would regard persons who fail to show up at their assigned places of work as having forfeited their employment.
The government emphasized that, “Every health worker that is willing to work is required to sign the register at the Ministry of Health and the health institutions to which they are deployed.”
The government explained that it would keep its health facilities running and protect staff that are willing to work, insisting the Ministry of Health has been directed to ensure that health facilities run and provide services to the public, with the support of willing workers who must be offered every assistance and protection.
The government in its official response to the strike notice by health workers stated that it would not yield to blackmail.