The Assembly of Healthcare Professionals has declared a seven-day warning strike over the state authorities’s failure to handle its calls for for improved allowances and wage changes totally.
The meeting’s chairman, Ibrahim Balange, introduced the choice on Wednesday, saying the strike would start at midnight on 14 October.
The unions beneath the meeting embody the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP).
Mr Balange mentioned the meeting issued a seven-day strike discover to the federal government on 7 October, however the expiration of the discover didn’t yield passable decision of the excellent points.
He mentioned the battle for improved allowances started in 2024, when the state authorities indicated its intention to overview the advantages of healthcare professionals in step with what’s obtained within the federal authorities service.
According to him, the employees had been shortchanged throughout the implementation of the minimal wage, prompting them to complain that the wage desk accepted for his or her members differed from what they had been being paid.
He mentioned a committee was later established to research the matter and made suggestions in March 2025, however the authorities had not but applied them.
Mr Balange defined that the employees had been later engaged by the Office of Public Service Reform, which provided them 10 per cent of the distinction between their salaries and people of their counterparts in federal establishments.
He mentioned the meeting rejected the provide and issued a three-week ultimatum to the federal government, which was later prolonged by one week following additional engagements.
According to him, the employees suspended plans to start a strike on 7 September after some stakeholders intervened and promised to handle their issues.
He, nevertheless, mentioned the meeting was later knowledgeable that the governor had accepted a 15 per cent increment, solely 5 share factors increased than the earlier provide.
Mr Balange expressed dissatisfaction that the meeting was not concerned in making ready the wage adjustment desk or figuring out the increment earlier than the choice was communicated to it.
He mentioned the meeting demanded full implementation of the allowances and wage construction relevant to healthcare professionals within the federal authorities service, however had indicated its willingness to simply accept 75 per cent as a compromise.
“Some of our members have not even agreed to 75 per cent, but we have to look at the matter holistically and consider how to move forward,” he mentioned.
Mr Balange warned that the disparity in remuneration may undermine the state’s healthcare system, noting that Katsina had beforehand been considered one of many states with comparatively engaging healthcare employment situations.
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He mentioned the meeting remained open to negotiations with the federal government however insisted on enhancing the allowances to make sure equity and retain healthcare professionals within the state.
The chairman mentioned the meeting would reconvene after the seven-day warning strike to overview the end result and determine on subsequent steps.
He warned that failure to achieve an settlement with the federal government may result in an ultimatum for an indefinite strike, including that the commercial motion was being undertaken in accordance with labour legal guidelines.
Mr Balange apologised to the federal government and the general public for any inconvenience the strike may trigger, whereas reaffirming the meeting’s dedication to defending its members’ welfare {and professional} pursuits. (NAN)
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