The indefinite strike action embarked upon by workers in Ekiti State on yesterday suffered a setback as the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, on Friday announced it was no longer taking part in the strike.
The Ekiti chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) issued a ‘stay at home’ order to workers over government’s inability to pay five months salary arrears and for failing to refund deductions made from their December 2015 salaries.
The state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, had in reaction to the workers decision to stay away from the offices, said he cannot sell himself to raise money to pay the workers.
However, in a letter addressed to the Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, JOHESU said the decision to pull out of the strike was informed by its assessment of those who would be most affected by the industrial action.
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 those in need of their services.
“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, declared 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.
