A SECTION OF WORKERS AT THE NATIONAL ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL ENUGU BEGIN INDEFINITE STRIKE

The workers of National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu under the umbrella of Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions have commenced an indefinite strike with a call on the federal government to look into their plight. During the commencement of an indefinite strike by the Unions, the Chairman, Comrade Cyprian Orjinta and the Secretary, Anthony Okonkwo drew the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari to the institutionalized oppression and subjugation of the entire workers of the hospital.

According to Union leaders, the failure of the management of the hospital to take the welfare, safety and security of the workers seriously has created untold hardship for the entire workers and patients.

“Our salaries have been in steady decline, we are no longer able to meet our basic needs, our children are dropping out of school and this is not what we bargained for. This is a hospital environment, because the staff are not well motivated. This robs off negatively on our patients.

We expect that at the end of the day after working we should go home with our wages but it’s no longer happening.”

One of the nurses, who explained that the workers had earlier given the management cumulative thirty five days notice before the indefinite strike, narrated their ordeal.

“We don’t have good working environment, we buy most of the materials to take care of our patients. In this era of infections, you see a nurse battling with blood, no gloves, no detergent to wash your hands after the whole procedures and you see patients being infected from one patient to another, no beddings. The beds are bad, using blocks to support the beds.”

Our correspondent reports that members of the Union were seen carrying placards with inscription “We say no to stagnation and workers deserve their wage,” “No work no pay,” and “We condemn persistent shortfall in Personnel Allocation.”

IFEOMA AMUTA