The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has questioned the plan by the federal government to pay salaries of private schools teachers affected by the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The National President of the MHWUN, Comrade Josiah Biobelemoye in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory questioned the rationale to pay salaries of private schools teachers when visited by the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Health Services, Hon. Tanko Sununu.
“We are doing so much and our people are showing so much understanding within this period because its COVID time but you can’t expect people to be patient all through forever.
“Government said there is no money but they are planning to pay private school teachers who are not even under the employment of the government.
“We that are in the forefront contending with the salvage how will you then explain to us government does not have the money to pay our deferred salaries of April and May 2018, and the withheld salaries in FMC Owerri, JUTH, LUTH and others. How will you convince us?
“We are not against the government trying to help out private schools, but if you are helping the private schools why can’t you help us. Is it justifiable to keep the salaries of those who are in the war front?
“We are appealing to the executive; quickly address these matters because they are ticking time bombs and they should not allow them to be detonated before they come to the rescue because any detonated bomb does not have positive results, its always negative,” the MHWUN president said.
While making a case for increased funding of the health sector and budgetary provision to fund the salary adjustments, Biobelemoye commended the efforts and concern of the NASS in the welfare of healthcare workers.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Health Services, Sununu said families of healthcare workers who died at the frontline of the COVID-19 will receive financial benefits.
The lawmaker said the National Assembly (NASS) was still in the process of reviewing the manner of compensation that should be made available to the affected families.
“We are not unmindful of our health workers in the frontline who paid the ultimate price. This is why we are working out a plan to compensate their families. A committee has been set up.
“We will call for a public hearing where the strategy and method to be used in disbursing the compensations will be agreed on. The families of the deceased will be located and we must ensure the money reaches them.
“Our aim is to ensure there is no disharmony anymore in the health sector. We are reaching out to major stakeholders and negotiating their demands to ensure health workers continue with their work with no hitches or grievances,” the lawmaker said.