Nurses in Ondo State, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, (NANNM) have been directed to embark on a three-day warning strike from March 1 over the percentage payment of their salaries by the state government.
The directive came in a statement dated February 26 and signed by NANNM Secretary in Ondo State, Comrade Aina Emmanuel Oluwasegun.
Olusegun stated that the strike would commence from 12 a.m. on Monday, March 1 to March 3 at first instance, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to the government.
He said “Sequel to the meeting the State Executive Council of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM held on 16th February 2021 which resolved that State Government should:
“Pay 100% salary of January 2017, December 2020, January 2021, 20% balance of December 2016, 50% November 2020 and commencement of New Salary Adjustment for Local Government Nurses within seven working days,” the statement partly read.
“Following the expiration of the seven (7) working days ultimatum without a response from the government you are directed to proceed on three (3) day warning strike from 12midnight on Monday 1st to Wednesday 3rd March 2021 at first instance.
“The association also lamented the shortage of nurses in all government’s hospitals, obsolete nursing tools to work with, which are leading to brain drain in nursing service of the hospital management board.”
This decision is coming as a result of the payment of fifty per cent of their salaries by the state government.
The state government had in January 2021 paid half of November 2020 salaries to its workers; which sparked off a protest by the nurses, rejecting the offer.