STRIKE NOTICE: ODSG PLEADS WITH NMA FOR MORE DIALOGUE

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SEVEN-DAY ULTIMATUM: ODSG PLEADS WITH NMA FOR MORE DIALOGUE

“…The issue of special allowances is not limited to health workers as government is working towards tackling it holistically…”

The Ondo State government has pleaded with the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association for more dialogue to resolve the issue of special allowances for health workers in the state.

This is as the association had given the government a 7-day ultimatum to resolve the issue.

According to a statement from the office of the Head of Service and signed by the Media Manager, Sina Adeyeye, constant interface had taken place between the government and the association with a view to accommodating other affected workers to ensure that the implementation is carried out at once.

The statement explains that having worked out the huge financial monthly implications, genuine efforts are on to ensure that the payment is cleared soonest as had been done with all outstanding allowances of workers in the state.

“The assertion that the Government has not taken any step to act on the payment of the hazard allowance cannot be true in view of the constant interface we have been having with the NMA chairman where he has been consistently informed that the issue of special allowances is not only limited to health workers and what we are working on is to tackle them holistically so as not to give a wrong impression to those other categories of workers’ and make them feel they are being treated as inferior”.

” We have always assured them all that having worked out the huge monthly implications of the allowances in the midst of other competing demands for the welfare of the entire state, genuine effort is ongoing to ensure that this is cleared soonest just as we have done with all outstanding allowances of workers in the state”.

The statement appealed to the doctors to reflect on the fact that Ondo State government is one of the first to approve 100 percent hazard allowance for it’s health workers while the process of employing one thousand health workers is about being concluded.

“While we are not unmindful of the situation in the health sector, it is expected that the NMA should not forget to appreciate the sincere gesture of the state government by being one of the first to approve 100% hazard allowance for its health workers and this was confirmed through the circular issued thereafter”.

“It is also important to note that government has commenced the process of employing 1,000 Health workers to fill critical vacancies created particularly by the ‘Japa’ syndrome with the almost concluded ongoing interview at the Civil Service Commission”.

While also noting that the doctors should appreciate the government for monthly payment of N35,000 wage award, the statement assures that the state government led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would not trivialise welfare of its workers including those in the health sector.