The Zamfara State Government has announced the
sack of over 400 nurses and midwives, who went
on strike over pay, accusing them of leaving their
duty posts without permission,
The Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Birnin
Magaji, announced the decision in a statement on
Wednesday in Gusau.
The health workers had been on an indefinite strike
since last Wednesday, over non-implementation of
CONHESS by the state government.
Mr. Birnin Magaji dismissed the claim by the health
workers, saying that the government had approved
the implementation of the new salary effective from
December1.
According to him, the decision to terminate the
appointments is in line with Civil Service Rules.
“We therefore stand by it. As representatives of the
people, we cannot fold our hands to allow such
actions to continue; leaving our hospitals empty
without workers.”
The commissioner explained that the termination
order did not affect those who were on leave.
Reacting to the development, the state Chairman of
Association of Nurses and Midwives, Bashir Mafara,
described the state government’s pronouncement
as “an empty threat”.
He said the workers would continue with the strike
and take measures to protect their rights.
The state Civil Service Commission had a week ago
commenced the recruitment of new nurses and
midwives into the state service.
Government’s decision on the workers would affect
health care services in the state which recently
recorded 47 deaths from cholera outbreak.
Zamfara is one of the states led by the All
Progressives Congress, APC, Nigeria’s largest
opposition party.
Another APC state, Lagos, had also sacked striking
health workers including doctors, but reversed its
decision due to public pressure and condemnation.
The APC had condemned the federal government’s
threat to sack university lecturers who failed to
resume duties by December 9.

http://premiumtimesng.com/news/151312-zamfara-government-sacks-400-nurses-midwives-over-strike.html