AKOR SYLVESTER – Abuja
Health workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) will commence 7-day warning strike midnight today October 25th 2024, to press home their demands bothering on welfare and other agreements signed with government.
Rising from the Expanded National Executive Council hybrid meeting held on Friday, and in compliance with the Provisions of Section 41 of the Trade Disputes Act Cap. T8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, members of JOHESU affiliate Unions from Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) said the strike will take effect from midnight of today, 25th October, 2024.
At the press conference of the leadership of JOHESU in Abuja Friday, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir however said , if at the end of the seven (7) days warning strike, the Federal Government fails to meet the members demands, JOHESU have no other option than to embark on an indefinite strike action.
He urged Nigerians to note that, the action could have been avoided if the Federal Government had within the window of the 15-Day notice of strike or ultimatum was responded by utilizing all options available in the relevant provisions of the Trade Disputes Act Cap. T8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to apprehend this dispute of right.
Minjibir noted that JOHESU is always committed to the use of the instrumentality of Social Dialogue to resolve matters affecting the welfare and working conditions of members.
He said the unions shall therefore keep all the channels of communication open during the period of seven days warning strike.
Minjibir enjoined the general public to bear with the unions all inconveniences the withdrawal of services of health workers under the umbrella of JOHESU might cause during the period.
He urged the consumers of health care and well-meaning Nigerians to empathize with the workers and also give solidarity to the struggle which he said is aimed at making healthcare delivery effective, accessible and affordable in the country.
According to him, “JOHESU has always exhibited maturity, selflessness and patriotism even in the face of extreme provocations and government’s long delay in meeting our demands and we think that our maturity and patriotism have been taken for granted.
“JOHESU urges members to comply with this directive accordingly. JOHESU however warns that, no member should be victimized on the account of this action which is a dispute of right”.
Summary of JUHESU’s demands include: Immediate implementation of CONHESS Adjustment.
Immediate payment of 25 % CONHESS Review arrears (June – December, 2023, Immediate payment of nine (9) months’ (January – September, 2024) salary to staff of Regulatory Agencies and immediate restoration of funding to Environmental Health Regulatory Council, Immediate reconstitution of Boards/Governing Councils of Federal Health Institution, Commencement of the process to upwardly review retirement age of health workers through Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoH&SW) to Federal Executive Council (FEC), Tax waiver on healthcare workers’ allowances, immediately payment of COVID 19 inducement hazard allowances to omitted health workers, immediate suspension of planned establishment and activities of National Health Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA) as being promoted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Others are, withdrawal of the unlawful Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
JOHESU demanded the full implementation of approved entry point, call duty and other allowances for holders of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D).
