Health union protests delayed allowances, others

From Emma Elekwa, OnitshaThe Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTHNnewi chapter), Anambra State, has petitioned the House of Representatives Committee on Health over several benefits being denied its members.A letter by the Chairman Anahalu Ikenna, and Secretary Charles Nwoye, appealed to the committee to cause the Federal Government to release funds to pay arrears of differentials for 2015, 2016 and 2017 promotion allowances to its members.It complained that the April and May 2018 payments were still withheld, and urged the committee to pressurise the Ministry of Health and Labour to pay up.READ ALSO:JOHESU strike illegalFGThe union also urged the committee to intervene so that more funds can be released for the completion of the NAUTH permanent site, with better facilities and befitting accommodation.The petition reads: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are not adequately provided in NAUTH and other COVID-19 palliatives. Appointment of deputy chairman, medical advisory committee has continued to elude us. We ask that you impress on the NAUTH management to make such an appointmentfrom among other health professionals other than medical and dental practitioners.The ADR of National Industrial Court of Arbitration ruled that COMMESS salary scale be adjusted in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Government, but the ministry of health is yet to implement the directives.Appointment of consultants and payment of specialist allowance to other health professionals had been granted to us in the ADR, but we are yet to be appointed. Discrimination in the payment of COVID-19 hazard allowance should stop. The health ministry should properly implement the hazard allowance as signed in the MoU.
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