The Joint Action Committee of the Cross River State health sector have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, threatening to embark on an industrial action at the end of the ultimatum to press home their demand for the resolution of outstanding issues with the government.
The ultimatum was contained in a letter addressed to the Governor and dated January 10, 2025 and signed by the chairmen and secretaries of six unions within the health sector, including Enya Ideba, Chairman National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP); Emmanuel Amor Chairman Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) and Josephine Bassey State Chairperson National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
The union, in the letter, described as disheartening the fact that after over a year of engagement with the government, no meaningful action has been taken to address issues in contention with the union.
“It is disheartening to discover that we are yet to receive any response or notice of any meaningful action(s) to address the issues in contention almost one year later,” the letter read, in part.
“In light of the above and the apparent inaction of the government to address the needs of the health sector, we are compelled to infer that the government is not willing or ready to attend to the needs of the health sector in Cross River State.
“Consequently, unions in the health sector have decided to jointly embark on industrial action to press home our demands.
“This action begins with a twenty-one (21) days ultimatum beginning from Monday,13″ January, 2025.”
The union enumerated seven key issues in contention with the state government.
These include payment of I00% CONMESS (2024 review) for Medical Doctors and Dentists in Cross River State and Payment of 100% CONHESS (2024 review) for Medical and Health Workers, Nurses and Midwives, Pharmacists and Medical Laboratory Scientists.
Others are proper implementation of the new national minimum wage for all categories of health workers in the state, review of hazard allowance and implementation of new entry point and terminal level for medical laboratory scientists.
When contacted, Clarkson Otu, the Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Labour Matters said the Joint Action Committee of Health Sector had yet to put him on notice about the strike.
