Cynthia Ezegwu
Despite appeals from the Edo State Government, members of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, have vowed to continue their ongoing warning strike, which began at midnight on Friday.
In a message to members on Sunday, the union’s Public Relations Officer, Iduwe Endurance, urged total compliance with the directive to withdraw services, warning that any deviation would not be tolerated.
The union had last week issued a statement signed by its State Chairman, Osagie Ogbeide, and Secretary, Barivure Kpakol, directing members to embark on a seven-day warning strike following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to the state government.
According to the statement, the decision followed the government’s alleged failure to demonstrate sufficient commitment to addressing their demands. Members were instructed to suspend all services “in all state and local government health facilities until the state government demonstrates genuine commitment and takes concrete actions towards addressing the union’s outstanding demands.”
Reacting to the strike, Governor Monday Okpebholo described the action as “ill-timed, unpatriotic, and unjustified,” alleging that it was being driven by selfish interests within the union’s leadership.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Saturday, the governor noted that the state government had been in active negotiations with the union and had already scheduled another meeting for Monday (today). He added that most of the issues raised by the union were inherited from the previous administration.
“It is shocking and disappointing that the leadership of the union would hastily declare a strike, claiming government insensitivity, when, in fact, the present administration has demonstrated good faith and a proactive resolve to improve the health sector,” the statement read.
READ ALSO: Edo Govt Approves N799.8bn Supplementary Budget, Prioritises Infrastructure
Okpebholo accused some union leaders of making unlawful financial demands from government officials, saying the strike was an attempt to blackmail the administration. He warned that the industrial action could endanger the lives of citizens, especially those in need of medical care.
However, some workers who spoke anonymously said they would continue the strike until directed otherwise by their leaders.
“We are with our leaders in this, and we can only hope that negotiations will be concluded before the end of the warning strike,” one of the members said.