By Admin
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Ekiti State Council, Femi Ajoloko, has clarified that the recent protest by health workers at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, was not directed at the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji.
Ajoloko while addressing newsmen said the protest was targeted at the management of the hospital over what he described as its failure to adequately address the welfare and outstanding benefits of workers, despite an increase in the institution’s subvention.
The labour leader explained that the workers were particularly concerned about the management’s handling of issues affecting their members, stressing that the situation had compelled them to demand accountability from the hospital authorities.
According to him, the workers have no grievance against Governor Oyebanji, whom they supported during the election and regard as their own project and leader.
Ajoloko said the protest became necessary because the workers believed that the hospital management was not adequately representing the governor and his administration, particularly in the area of workers’ welfare.
He maintained that the workers did not want any action by the hospital management to undermine the achievements of the governor’s administration in the state.
The JNC chairman therefore urged the management of the teaching hospital to ensure that workers receive the benefits of the increased government support to the institution, saying that employees should be able to feel the dividends of democracy and the governor’s efforts in the health sector.
Ajoloko also dismissed insinuations that the protest was an attempt by health workers to confront or embarrass the state government.
He stressed that the workers’ position was simply that the management should properly represent the governor and ensure that the people, particularly health workers, benefit from the administration’s policies and increased funding.
He called on the hospital management to address the outstanding welfare issues and restore confidence among the workforce.
