The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has issued a new 15-day strike notice. This is coming after giving the FG an ultimatum to either meet its demands or leave them with no other option but strike.
The strike announcement was also done alongside other Labour Unions including the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA).
This was disclosed in a statement by JOHESU’s Acting General Secretary, Chief Matthew Ajorutu, after the Expanded National Executive Council (NEC) emergency meeting of the unions on Friday in Abuja. The NEC includes NEC members of affiliate unions and JOHESU Chairmen and Secretaries at the state and branch levels, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
JOHESU revealed it had assessed the negotiation report between the FG and the unions since the trade dispute strike warnings on the 2nd of September, and also noted the appeal from President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to show understanding with his administration and the President’s pledge to pay any debt owed health workers.
They urged the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure speedy circularisation of all establishment and welfare matters as agreed during negotiation meetings.
”The Federal Government should ensure that the new data for the computation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for JOHESU members be completed and submitted to the ‘High Level Body (HLB)’ of the FG not later than Wednesday, Sept. 22, as agreed.
”NEC-in-session urges the Federal Government to ensure that the High Level Body (HLB) complete and submit the computation of the adjusted CONHESS for inclusion in the 2022 budget within the Sept. 30th submission window.
”NEC urges the Federal Government to reciprocate the patriotic humanitarian gesture of JOHESU in the interest of the larger Nigerian masses to expeditiously resolve all the demands within the fifteen days window,” they said.
They added that the NEC-in-Session had unanimously adopted a resolution to step down the notice of strike action due to expire by mid-night September 17, and issue a fresh notice of fifteen days, and commended all members for their commitment and understanding towards the struggle for better working conditions.
In case you missed it
Nairametrics reported this week that Labour Minister, Chris Ngige, said discussions on Hazard Allowances had already begun with all the health workers since March, but disagreements with the NMA emerged over fundamental principles of negotiation with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) expressed displeasure over the ruling of the National Industrial Court (NIC) directing members to return to work with immediate effect.
