Health Workers Allege Bias in Payment of Hazard Allowance

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has alleged unfair treatment in the implementation of the newly approved inducement and hazard allowances for medical workers.

They urged the federal government to implement the COVDI-19 hazard allowances agreement for all medical workers without giving preferential treatment to medical doctors while leaving out other workers.

The protest by health workers union came just as the federal government summoned the leadership of the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to a meeting to seek ways of resolving issues that led to the latest strike action by the doctors.

The meeting with the doctors which is continuing late night yesterday was being chaired by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige with the Minister of Heath, Dr. Osagie Ehanire in attendance.

Both parties met in a technical sessions for three hours before adjourning for further talks later at night.

JOHESU in a protest letter addressed to Ngige and dated June 15, 2020, described the recent release of N4billion for the NARD as unfair.

In the letter jointly signed by the Chairman and acting Secretary of the union, Biobelemoye Josiah and Matthew Ajorutu, the health workers said that the usual plea by the government for understanding due to paucity of funds can no longer be accepted by the members.

JOHESU also alleged that some of the affiliate unions, like the National A bo virus Vector and Research Centres (NA C RC ), Enugu; National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Vom, Plateau State; National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centres in Saye, Zaria; NOFIC, Katsina, and health clinics in universities were not captured for payment of the special COVID-19 Hazard and Inducement Allowance.

In the protest letter, the union urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha and Minister of Health to immediately implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated April 21, 2020 and the Memorandum of Action reached with government last week.