LAUTECH Nurses, Midwives Embark On Indefinite Strike Over Minimum Wage
Nurses and midwives at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have begun an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the new national minimum wage and long-standing welfare issues.
The industrial action, which commenced on Friday, followed the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum earlier issued to the hospital management.
In a statement released in Ibadan on Saturday, Unit Chairman, Ojewumi Olutayo, and Secretary, Adedokun Foluwake, said no meaningful steps were taken to address their demands despite repeated engagements and reminders.
“LAUTECH Teaching Hospital workers have suffered systemic neglect, with their welfare consistently overlooked compared to counterparts in other state-owned health institutions in the state who already enjoy improved packages.
“Our key demands include immediate implementation of the new National Minimum Wage and its consequential adjustments with effect from January 2025; payment of promotion arrears from 2018 to 2024; recruitment of additional nurses to address severe staff shortages; renovation and proper furnishing of nurses’ stations and restrooms to improve working conditions.”
The union stressed that the prolonged delay in meeting these obligations has created financial strain, low morale, and attrition of skilled personnel in the hospital.
They further noted that the teaching hospital, being the only state-owned tertiary health institution in the state, plays a critical role as a referral centre for patients from Oyo, Osun, Kwara, and neighbouring communities.
“A strike, they warned, could severely disrupt services for thousands of patients, including pregnant women, children, accident victims, and emergency cases,” the union added.
It, therefore, called on Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently intervene to ensure fairness and equity in staff welfare, stressing that industrial harmony is key to sustaining quality healthcare delivery in the state.
While reaffirming their commitment to professional excellence and quality care, the nurses and midwives maintained that the strike would continue until their demands were fully met.
The industrial action at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital reflects wider unrest in Nigeria’s health sector, as resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory only suspended their indefinite strike on Friday after Senate intervention.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
