OAUTH: Ife Youths Seek FG’s Intervention On 12 Months Unpaid Salaries

YOUTHS in Ile-Ife, Osun State, have called on the Federal Government to resolve the 12 months unpaid salaries to some health workers at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife.

The youths in a letter addressed to the Minister for Health, Muhammed Pate, on Tuesday, noted that the affected health workers who are about 2,000 are majorly young individuals.

According to the youths, the affected workers have been enduring uncertainty, suffering and tragic experience for over a year due to their held salaries.

The youths under the aegis of Ife Youths Organisation (IYO) stated that the unpaid salary has not only inflicted pains on the affected families but also poses significant threat to the health institution and the host community.

It would be recalled that the health workers had in November 2023 staged a protest against their withheld salary which was running to 10 months then.

The health workers lamented that they were incapable of feeding their families because of the unpaid salaries since December 13, 2022.

Meanwhile, Pate, the Minister of Health, in a tweet on his verified X handle on October 13, noted that investigation had been completed on the issue, stating that it would be resolved soonest.

“We are addressing the OAUTH situation. The investigation has just been completed on this unfortunate situation. We understand the difficulties being faced by numerous innocent health workers and will do our best to resolve it equitably,” he tweeted.

But the workers are still yet to be paid as of the time of filing this report yesterday, three months after Pate’s statement.

IYO in the letter signed by its Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Oyesanmi, urged Pate to address the issue on time.

The youths appealed for immediate cessation of any plans to terminate the employment of the affected workers, just as they called for their inclusion in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

“The letter reads partly: “We are writing you with deep concern regarding the ongoing challenges faced by the youths at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife. “The uncertainties, hardships, and unfortunate deaths among these individuals have reached a critical level, demanding immediate attention and compassionate intervention.

“For over a year, nearly 2,000 young individuals have endured uncertainty, suffering, and, tragically, some have lost their lives. 

“This situation not only inflicts immense pain on the affected families but also poses a significant threat to the institution itself and the surrounding community, affecting the lives of numerous residents.

“It has come to our attention that these youths, having received valid employment letters, were engaged in active service but have been left unpaid for over twelve months with no specific information as to why and when they would be paid. 

“The financial burden imposed on them, with exorbitant screening and documentation fees, adds to their plight, exacerbating an already dire situation.

“Considering the prevailing unemployment rates in the country, the desperation of these individuals underscores the predicament faced by many Nigerians in their pursuit of employment opportunities. We believe that your esteemed office, with its humane and passionate track record, can play a pivotal role in addressing this issue.”