Workers at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, commenced an indefinite strike on Friday over what they described as ``imposition of leadership''.
The Chairman of the Ogun State Branch of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Mr Samuel Idowu, told newsmen in Abeokuta that the workers embarked on the indefinite strike, due to the hospital management's insensitivity to workers' demands.
The unions at an emergency congress said that the recent re-appointment of the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr Dapo Sotiloye, was done without consultations.
NAN reports that the union comprises members of the Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWUN) and Senior Staff Association of Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSATHURAI).
Others are Forum of Health Institutions of Nurses and Midwives (FEHINAM) and the National Union of Pharmacists, Medical Technologists.
The aggrieved workers carried placards with different inscriptions such as "Enough of Sotiloye's autocratic leadership;” and “Say no to imposition;"
Other inscriptions on the placards are “Health service delivery, a team work, Preserve the sanctity of the hospital" and "Mr President, give us another medical director."
Idowu decried the management's alleged move to downsize the workforce at the institution, in spite the Federal Ministry of Health's proposal to recruit more staff.
He alleged that the hospital authorities were secretly working to sack 450 workers.
"The medical director said he had gotten approval to reduce the size of workers by 450 when a delegation from Abuja has actually come and discussed how to further strengthen the workforce.
"We are not against downsizing but the management must employ 'last-in, first out' so that there will be less consultants in the hospital," he said.
Idowu also accused the management of using security agents to harass members of staff.
"We no longer feel secure, it is no longer news that FMC has been militarised, security men display arms and ammunition in the hospital premises.
"This is an aberration and based on this singular premise, we are no longer secured working in the hospital," he added.
The chairman declared that the workers would not return to their duty posts until the MD was removed.
He lamented that workers' welfare and facilities at the hospital had been poor over the years under the incumbent management.
President Goodluck Jonathan had in a letter dated May 18, 2012 and signed by the Minister of State for Health, Dr Muhammed Pate, renewed the appointment of Sotiloye for another four years.
NAN correspondent who visited the hospital reports that only doctors were at their various duty posts.
When contacted, the hospital's Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Segun Orisajo, said he was not aware of the strike. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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