LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Workers Embark On Indefinite Strike

Health workers under the aegis of Joint Negotiation Council at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo chapter has finally directed all its members to embark on an indefinite strike to demand for what they termed as” their rights “from the State government after series of protests and consultations with the management.
‎ A visit to the hospital revealed less activities of workers as most of the usual busy areas looked deserted and the only workers on duties were medical doctors.
The health workers comprising of about five Unions had last week threatened the management of the hospital and the State government to down-tool this week if their demands were not accorded appropriate action.
It began with the peaceful protest as the health workers of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo chapter trooped out to decry their plight and demand for what they said is their right within and outside the hospital complex.
This was followed by series of meetings with the management, but it seemed the talk was deadlocked as the Union members had carried out their threat of embarking on an indefinite strike.
The JNC union members; National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Non Academic staff Union, Nigerian Union of Allied Health professionals, Medical and Health Workers ‎Union of Nigeria and the Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, are fighting for payment of their outstanding salaries, National Health Insurance Scheme NHIS for health workers, among other things.
Top amongst the demands of these members was the issue of pension. They complained that workers of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo chapter do not have benefits of pension at retirement.
The spokesperson of JNC, Afolabi‎ Abiodun added that the industrial action would go on as long as their demands remained unmet, appealing to the general public who would be mostly affected to bear with them during the course of fighting for their rights.
The hospital looked deserted and although doctors were the only ones attending to the patients, the Chief Medical Director, Prof Femi Fadiora told Channels Television that the matter is being handled and soon, relief would come the way of the members.