Health workers under the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Ekiti State chapter, have threatened industrial action over alleged outstanding salary arrears and other unpaid entitlements at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.

The union’s EKSUTH chairman, Kumuyi Oluwatimilehin, alleged that workers had been receiving half salaries for the past 72 months, alongside outstanding COVID-19 allowances, special levies, cooperative deductions and union dues.

Oluwatimilehin appealed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji to intervene, saying the union had refrained from striking because of its support for the governor.

She warned that the union could embark on a three-day protest and possibly an indefinite strike if the grievances were not addressed.

She also alleged that deductions meant for cooperative societies and unions had not been remitted, while workers were unable to access car and housing loans because of the outstanding issues.

The Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council in Ekiti State, Femi Ajoloko, also questioned the hospital’s handling of workers’ welfare.

Ajoloko alleged that EKSUTH had requested about ₦90 million in additional subvention but received more than ₦120 million, asking why the difference could not be used to settle part of the workers’ outstanding entitlements.

However, the Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Prof. Kayode Olabanji, denied that the hospital was indebted to its workers.

Olabanji attributed the dispute largely to the implementation of the new tax law and salary adjustments, saying the hospital had implemented the new salary structure based on a government-approved circular vetted by the unions.

He said the hospital had paid the arrears it received funding for, as well as an additional award for doctors undergoing training.

On deductions, the CMD said some had already been settled and maintained that the hospital was complying with directives from the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue on the new tax regime.

Olabanji said the hospital could not clear alleged outstanding arrears at once if its allocation was insufficient to meet salary obligations.