Kaduna State Government has said it will sack any health worker who fails to show up at his or her  assigned place of work. 

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Muyiwa Adekeye, the Special Adviser on Media and Commissioner to the State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Friday, May 22,2020. 

He said that the State Government will not bow to what it described as "naked blackmail" as it will keep its health facilities running and protect staff that are willing to work. 

The decision of the State Government was in response to the proposed strike the State Health workers set to embark on. 

Report indicates that the health workers protested over the deduction of 25 percent from salaries of all civil servants. 

According to the Kaduna State Government, the 25 per cent cut in salaries will be donated to fund the provision of palliatives for low-income, poor and vulnerable persons to cushion effects occasioned by the COVID-19 lockdown. 

The spokesman said the salary deductions are applicable to all Government workers in the State ranging from the Governor to the most junior civil servants with take-home salary of more than Fifty Thousand Naira. 

The Health workers' Union and Association in the State had given the State Government an ultimatum to refund the 25 percent deducted fund from their April and May salaries or else it will go on strike. 

The union told the State Government to provide Personal Protective Equipment to its workers as it is needed to enhance the fight against Coronavirus. 

According to the Governor’s spokesman, every effort will be made to ensure that health facilities keep functioning,adding that staff willing to work will be guaranteed free and safe access to health facilities. 

He warned those willing to work to desist from criminal actions such as attempts to impede access to workplaces, harass wiling workers or sabotage facilities and equipment. 

The State Government firmly emphasized that it will not exclude health workers in its decision to cut 25 per cent of civil servants salaries. 

According to the Adekeye, the State Government has commenced the payment of N5,000 and N15,000 daily incentives to frontline health workers.

He added that the State Government has also provided health workers in the State with additional health insurance of N5 million for death and N2.5 million for disability, adding that those infected by COVID-19 will get N100,000 for 10 days.