Nigeria Student Forum

Bayelsa State chapter of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has lamented the alleged unfair labour practices at both the Federal and state government health institutions.

The #MHWUN said although health workers were acknowledged as frontline workers and heroes during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, they were not adequately remunerated for the risks associated with their duties while preference was given to some unions.

Its Chairman, Mr. Barnabas Simon, who spoke in Yenagoa on Wednesday, said the recent warning strike by the union became imperative because the Federal Government reneged on its agreements with the union.

He regretted that after being recognised as frontline workers and praised as patriots in the fight against COVID-19, they were sidelined when it came to the payment of allowances; instead they had a preference for other unions.

He said: “The doctors represent 20 per cent of essential health workers, while others have a larger percentage that covers not only health facilities but also government health institutions.”