Leaders of various labour and trade unions in Akwa Ibom State have again applauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for his workers’ friendly disposition since assumption of office in 2015.
They made this known, during the official signing of an agreement between the Government and the Organized Labour in Goverment House, Uyo to formalise the Governor’s approval for the 80% upward review of the take home package of health workers.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Sunny James, the Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Dominic Abang, the Chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Tina Essien and their Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, counterpart, Comrade AniebietAbasi Obot, in their separate comments, applauded Governor Emmanuel’s favourable disposition to workers’ demands, particularly, his approval for the implementation of the 80% upward review of Health Workers salary, further
They assured that with the kind gesture of Governor Emmanuel, the health workers would be motivated to return to work with renewed vigour.
The resolution brought to an end, the two week disharmony between the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU and the state government.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chief of Staff to the Governor and supervising Commissioner, Ministry for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, reiterated Government’s sincere commitment to enhancing the welfare of workers as exemplified in the regular settlement of workers’ financial entitlements, despite the biting economic realities occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chief of Staff who chaired the meeting, thanked the Governor for the upward review of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure(CONHESS), as demanded by the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) acknowledging that, the development has restored industrial harmony in the health sector.
Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen charged the health workers to resiprocate the kind gesture of government by heightening their healthcare service delivery to the people for maximum benefits from the huge goverment Investment in the health sector and assured the Labour Leadership in the state of a sustained robust engagements for an uninterrupted industrial harmony in the state.
In his remarks, the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, expressed gratitude to the Governor for approving the 80% salary review for health workers in addition to the recently implementation of the new minimum wage and other welfare packages for workers in the state even in the face of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Planning, Prof. Victor Inoka, joined in thanking the Governor for approving the payment of the 80% increement and appealed to the labour leaders to always explore dialogue in resolving industrial issues.