The Assembly of Healthcare Professionals has declared a seven-day warning strike over the state authorities’s failure to deal with its calls for for improved allowances and wage changes totally.
The meeting’s chairman, Ibrahim Balange, introduced the choice on Wednesday, saying the strike would start at midnight on 14 October.
The unions beneath the meeting embody the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP).
Mr Balange stated the meeting issued a seven-day strike discover to the federal government on 7 October, however the expiration of the discover didn’t yield passable decision of the excellent points.
He stated the battle for improved allowances started in 2024, when the state authorities indicated its intention to evaluate the advantages of healthcare professionals according to what’s obtained within the federal authorities service.
According to him, the employees have been shortchanged through the implementation of the minimal wage, prompting them to complain that the wage desk authorized for his or her members differed from what they have been being paid.
He stated a committee was later established to analyze the matter and made suggestions in March 2025, however the authorities had not but applied them.
Mr Balange defined that the employees have been later engaged by the Office of Public Service Reform, which provided them 10 per cent of the distinction between their salaries and people of their counterparts in federal establishments.
He stated the meeting rejected the provide and issued a three-week ultimatum to the federal government, which was later prolonged by one week following additional engagements.
According to him, the employees suspended plans to begin a strike on 7 September after some stakeholders intervened and promised to deal with their issues.
He, nonetheless, stated the meeting was later knowledgeable that the governor had authorized a 15 per cent increment, solely 5 proportion factors greater than the earlier provide.
Mr Balange expressed dissatisfaction that the meeting was not concerned in getting ready the wage adjustment desk or figuring out the increment earlier than the choice was communicated to it.
He stated the meeting demanded full implementation of the allowances and wage construction relevant to healthcare professionals within the federal authorities service, however had indicated its willingness to just accept 75 per cent as a compromise.
“Some of our members have not even agreed to 75 per cent, but we have to look at the matter holistically and consider how to move forward,” he stated.
Mr Balange warned that the disparity in remuneration might undermine the state’s healthcare system, noting that Katsina had beforehand been thought to be one of many states with comparatively enticing healthcare employment circumstances.
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He stated the meeting remained open to negotiations with the federal government however insisted on enhancing the allowances to make sure equity and retain healthcare professionals within the state.
The chairman stated the meeting would reconvene after the seven-day warning strike to evaluate the end result and resolve on subsequent steps.
He warned that failure to succeed in an settlement with the federal government might result in an ultimatum for an indefinite strike, including that the commercial motion was being undertaken in accordance with labour legal guidelines.
Mr Balange apologised to the federal government and the general public for any inconvenience the strike would possibly trigger, whereas reaffirming the meeting’s dedication to defending its members’ welfare {and professional} pursuits. (NAN)
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