Osun; Medical Doctors on illegal strike, given ultimatum to resume
By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan
Osun State Government has declared that Medical Doctors in the state are presently on an illegal strike, embarked upon for the past over 3months.
The government in a statement made available to journalists also ordered the striking Doctors to go back to work on or before December, 25, adding that “at the expiration of the seven day ultimatum, any Medical Doctor who fails to resume work shall be deemed to have voluntarily resigned his/her appointment with the Public Service of the State of Osun, and he/she shall be treated accordingly”
According to the statement signed by the State Permanent Secretary, Human Resources and Capacity Building, Mr. S. F Olajide, “the Medical Doctors commenced an industrial strike since Monday, 28th September, 2015, despite the various appeals made by government authorities to them, as made to all other professionals in the public service of the state”.
The government stated that during the ongoing strike, appeals are still being made to the striking doctors “to see reasons with Government on the national challenge in public finance, yet they are adamant.
“It is sad to note that while all other professional workers in the public service of the State of Osun have been showing understanding and are offering useful solutions through their leadership in the several ongoing meetings of the Government – Labour Unions’ Committee on Revenue and Payment of Salaries/Critical Expenditures of Government, Medical Doctors in the State of Osun have chosen to remain on strike for more than two months now, thereby paralysing Government policy on Health Services to the good people of our dear State” it said.
The government added that “unfortunately, they continue to collect the remunerations being paid by Government thereby eating their cake and having it at the same time!”, saying, “in addition, it is observed that the strike embarked upon by the Medical Doctors in the State of Osun Public Service ( both at Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital( LAUTECH), Osogbo and other Government health facilities) is illegal as they did not follow due process before embarking on the Industrial Action thereby breaching even their professional Hippocratic Oath”.
The statement stressed “in the interest of the health of the generality of the people of the State of Osun and to put paid to this unwholesome situation, Mr. Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, has directed that all Medical Doctors on strike are hereby to resume work in their various health centers/institutions without further delay, on or before seven (7) days effective from 18th December, 2015, and
(II) At the expiration of the seven day ultimatum, any Medical Doctor who fails to resume work shall be deemed to have voluntarily resigned his/her appointment with the Public Service of the State of Osun, and he/she shall be treated accordingly.
