•Health workers threaten
The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals, Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, are demanding the Zamfara State Government, to immediately commence the payment of their six-month salary arrears from the adjusted CONHESS or face industrial action.
They made the call while briefing journalists about the arrears from June to November 2024 and the pending promotion which they want the state government to implement, reports Channels TV.
The Branch Chairman of the Joint Health Sector Unions, Comrade Sani Rabi’u said the union is also demanding proper implementation of allowances such as status, call to duty and hazard allowance arising from thirty thousand minimum.
The Joint Health Unions said they have observed that there are some irregularities in the payment of salaries for October and November 2024 which included grade reduction, step reduction, and wrong salary scale placement.
“We observed that the CONHESS adjustment implementation that began in October 2024 salary was not properly implemented for Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital Gusau staff which include status allowances (among others) which the staff have to enjoy since the inception of the hospital.”
“We also observed some irregularities on the salary (October & November 2024) which include; Grade level reduction, Steps reduction, Wrong salary scale placement, from instead of CONHESS.”
“These lead to a remarkable reduction of salary from the majority of our members instead of increment. This action caused many experienced staff to resign from the hospital Several complaints were made to the appropriate authorities through writing, visitations and meetings with the assurance to correct the anomalies in November 2024 salary, but to our dismay, the complaints were not resolved.”
Comrade Rab’iu called on the state government to “direct the proper implementation of our allowances, such as Status allowances, Call duty, and Hazard arising from CONHESS adjustment on 30,000.00 minimum wages in the facility based on the report of the Hon. Commissioner for Health committee.”
“There is a need to revive the autonomy of the hospital and immediate setting of Hospital Governing Board members as clearly stated in the Hospital Gazette for the smooth running of the hospital.”
“We are requesting the Correction of Salary Structure to some YBSH staff from HARPS to CONHESS, Grade Levels and Steps to the affected members. We are demanding the Payment of six (6) months arrears (June – November, 2024) from the adjusted CONHESS”
The union also called for the Implementation of pending promotions.
“We hope His Excellency will look into our problems and address our issues on December 2024 salary in order to avoid industrial action.”
They appreciate Governor Dauda Lawal for the remodelling and equipping of the state Specialist Hospital in preparation for its upgrade to the State Teaching Hospital
