The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, have embarked on an indefinite strike over the non-payment of appropriate remuneration with entry level of CONMESS 3 step 3, hazard allowances and unfair treatment of government to their plight as they battle the novel COVID-19 in the state.
The letter jointly signed by the union’s President, Dr. Popoola Mutiu, and the General Secretary, Dr. Osundara Tope, said the association had resolved to embark on this strike while holding talks with the government over their demands which is legitimate, fair and just as the medical personnel battle against COVID-19.
Mutiu said “we demand appropriate remuneration for all Residents in OOUTH with entry level of CONMESS 3 step 3, hazard allowance of 50% of Consolidated Basic Salary for all doctors in OOUTH, implementation of New Minimum Wage for all Doctors in OOUTH which must reflect equity, justice and fairness, life insurance for all doctors in OOUTH, continued provision of Adequate PPE for doctors in OOUTH.
In a swift response, the Secretary to the State Government, Ogun State, Olatokunbo Talabi, promised that the state government will look into their plight.
He said that after a thorough deliberation with the representative of the association, government is willing to put a smile on the faces of the doctors.
“We are presently looking into resolving the issue and we promised that before the end of the month, something tangible will be done,” he said.
The President of the Association, Mutiu said the association had expected Governor Dapo Abiodun to give the report of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting held on 24th June, 2020 on issues that bother on our agitations. We continued our weekend strike hoping the government will listen to our plea, however, our prayers were seen as a disturbing child’s cry.
“Since it appears our agitations are not worthy before Ogun State Government, which invariably begat complete insouciance to our concerns, the House has therefore decided to embark on indefinite strike starting from 1st July, 2020,” he said.