Health centres in Bayelsa shut over workers strike
The health workers claim they are owed up to 15 months’ salary.
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The ongoing strike by members of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Bayelsa State Chapter, has effectively shut primary healthcare centres across the state.
The strike has hampered access to basic healthcare services like ante-natal for pregnant women and child immunisation at health centres across the eight local government areas of Bayelsa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the union, which draws its membership mostly from primary health centres, ordered members to embark on an indefinite industrial action on Friday over the non-payment of their salary.
The union, which draws its membership mostly from primary health centres, began an indefinite industrial action on Friday over non-payment of 15 months’ salary arrears.
The MHWUN Chairman, Mr Barnabas Simon, who gave an update on the strike on Saturday, said the union embarked on the strike as the last option following the expiration of earlier deadlines and fruitless meetings with government officials.
He explained that the arrears owed to the union members ranged from two to 15 months.
Simon expressed displeasure over many unresolved issues by the government as it affects primary health care workers in the state, adding that after several talks, none of their demands has been met.