Primary Health Workers Suspend Strike

Primary health workers in Rivers State, have called off
their strike.

The primary health workers under the aegis of the Nigerian
Medical and health Workers’ Union, Primary healthcare Workers branch reached
this decision following the intervention of the state council chairman of the
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Chris Oruge.

President of the Primary Healthcare branch of the union,
Reuben Nwecheonu announced the suspension of the strike at a congress of the
workers held in Port Harcourt.

The President said: “We have held a meeting with the NLC
Chairman, the chairman of Joint Public Administrative Council in Rivers State,
the Chairperson of Medical and health Workers Union of Nigeria, Rivers State.

We have resolved based on our discretion that the industrial
action embarked upon by primary healthcare workers demanding the implementation
of the consolidated Public Salary Structure, that the action be suspended to
enable the NLC Chairman and the union representatives dialogue with government
with an aim to finding a lasting solution”.

The NLC Chairman, Comrade Chris Oruge said he waded into the
matter to create a level playing ground for negotiation for all parties
involved.

According to Oruge, “Why I want to come into the situation
is that our state has been very peaceful and the government has asked me to
wade into the matter. I am coming in, this is the right time for me and I know
that the issue will be resolved”.

Shedie Okpara