The retired health workers in Kogi State have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan; Senate President, David Mark, and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the House of Representatives to prevail on the State Governor, Idris Wada, to assist in harmonizing their pension with the new salary structure, the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) to enable them meet the present economic realities.
Speaking with journalist in Lokoja the state capital, Chairperson of the group, Dr Onimisi Smith, said that the harmonization would put them on same CONHESS with those who retired recently from the service.
The health workers of the Kogi State Civil Service had been on strike in the last three months demanding from government 100% payment of their CONHESS, payment of accumulated leave bonus and salaries, and to implement 2011 to 2013 promotion.
They held placards reading different inscriptions, chanting solidarity songs as they walked down to the NUJ press center demanding government to harmonize their pension as their current earning is no longer acceptable to them.
The health workers said that they had served the State Government for 35 years in the health sector and still earn below their expectation.
They further stated that they had cried to the government through various means but got no response which led to protest.
The Secretary of the Association, Mr Simon Mesole, who retired in 2006 and still earns 30,000 naira, spoke to Channels Television.
Mr Mesole has been critically ill and admitted at the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Lokoja where he is undergoing dialysis, he wept as he recounted his present predicament, appealing to the Governor to harmonize their salaries.
The State Head of Service, Dr Moses Atakpa, in his reaction, explained the process taken before salaries are harmonized but promised that despite the dwindling allocation coming to the state, government would look into their plights and take necessary action.
