The national leadership of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order the immediate payment of the two-month salaries of health workers allegedly withheld due to the “no work, no pay” stance of the government.
The union also asked the government to pay the four-month salaries of health workers at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, the Imo State capital, who it said were being punished for exposing corruption.
Speaking when the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, visited their national secretariat in Abuja, MHWUN National President Biobelemoye Joy Josiah said the “no work, no pay” law under which the members’ salaries were being withheld was being observed in the breach.
He said the law of “no work, no pay” had not been used judiciously, following reports of payment of salaries of some doctors who also embarked on strike at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) last November.
According to him, the speedy payment of the salaries to its members will enhance justice and equality, which the administration is known, especially in the fight against corruption.
Josiah said: “I want to use this opportunity to plead with you because of the position of the office you occupy. We know you can help us out.
“Prior to the elections, this union and the Joint Health Sector (JOHESU) were tempted to make the situation very restive during that period. This is because the Federal Ministry of Health unjustly seized the salaries of our member under the guise of ‘no work, no pay’.
“And then we ask: if no work, no pay is a law, on the other hand, strike itself is also a law. So, if no work, no pay is a law, can it be bent for some persons in this federation?
“We are aware that some persons went on strike and the no work, no pay was issued and withdrawn. So, why should it be different for our own members, JOHESU members?
“Within the health industry, in November, last year, our members, medical doctors in LUTH, went on strike, just like we did in April and May, and they were paid.”
Idris noted the cordial relationship, understanding and mutual respect existing between the union and government.
The AGF hailed the past and current leadership of the union for the development of workers and the Health sector.