OGUN RESIDENT DOCTORS EMBARK ON STRIKE AMIDST COVID-19
The resident doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University University Teaching Hospital, Shagamu Ogun state, has declared a three-day warning strike starting on Monday, May 4.
The Association of Resident Doctors at the hospital in a letter to the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said it is embarking on a warning strike because the State refused to yield to its agitation for a better remuneration package for its members.
The letter, jointly signed by the President and General Secretary of the Association, Popoola Mutiu, and Osundara Tope, respectively, expressed displeasure with the government on issues that bother on its members' welfare.
"We are perturbed with the non-committal response from the government despite repeated calls and letters to get their attention.
"There has been no commitment whatsoever from the government on the issue of Appropriate Remuneration, Entry Level, New Minimum Wage, Hazard allowance and Life Insurance for our members," the letter alleged.
The association, however, said doctors working at the COVID-19 isolation centres would not join the strike.
"We have a human face, and we know people are the basis of our practice as medical professionals. We shall, therefore, exclude our members working at COVID-19 isolation centre from joining the strike action. They shall not take part in the strike," the association said.
The doctors expressed shock at the government's "arbitrary change in only hazard allowance to be given as COVID-19 Special Hazard Allowance to all health workers".
According to the association, "the 200 per cent increase in hazard allowance is just an increase from N5000 to N15,000 for just the month of April."
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