By Onwukwe Ezeru, Abia
The Abia State Chairman of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Okoro Ogbonnaya, has passionately called on the board members of Health Management Board to reverse the “punitive” transfer of some staff who participated in the peaceful demonstration embarked upon by the workers last month.
Ogbonnaya, who spoke in Umuahia, confirmed that health workers protested because they were being owed up to seven months salary in the state. He blamed the protest on the false information and announcement by the state Commissioner for Finance, Obinna Orieaku, that workers had been paid two months when the workers were hungry.
Ogbonnaya also confirmed that the union met with the state Head of Service, Dr. Vivian Umah, in the company of labour leaders, to explain why the health workers staged a protest and upon explanation, he assured that the protesting workers were not going to be punished, adding that the union was surprised that the board members of the health management went ahead to transfer the staff affected to the rural areas.
“We are not against normal transfer but this was punitive and should be withdrawn. The commissioner of finance made false announcement that health workers had been paid when they were not paid and by that announcement their landlords, were on their neck for rent. No worker would feel happy when he is being owed,” he said.
He however advised medical and health workers to remain calm and support the government of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for releasing cheques for two months salary this month after the protest. “Labour is not partisan but supports government in power for the interest of workers.
Reacting on the punitive transfer of workers by the board of health management, the Abia State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Uchenna Obigwe, condemned the protest by medical and health workers without informing the NLC.
“Due process should be followed as labour does not toy with workers welfare,” he said.
However, he said that the NLC has waded in with a view to achieving the reversal of the transfer of the affected staff. “The economy of the nation and states is bad and therefore we should trade with caution and follow due process in whatever action we take,” he said.
