Health workers begin seven-day strike
Members of the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, have announced the commencement of a seven-day warning strike beginning from midnight on Friday.
The union took the decision after the Federal Government allegedly failed to address welfare issues raised by it.
National President of the union, Kabiru Minjibir made this known to newsmen on Friday in Abuja after the union’s national executive council meeting.
He said there has been no positive response from the government despite repeated assurances during meetings with various ministries and agencies.
Minjibir explained that the strike could have been avoided if the government had responded to the 15-day strike notice issued earlier by the union.
The key demands of the health workers include the immediate implementation of the consolidated health salary structure and a 25 per cent review of salary arrears from June to December 2023.
The union is also asking for an upward review of the retirement age for health workers, tax waivers on allowances for healthcare workers, and the immediate payment of COVID-19 hazard allowances.
He said: “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), and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) will begin a seven-day strike action from midnight on 25th October 2024 in Federal Health Institutions.
”The general public should bear with us all inconveniences the withdrawal of services of health workers under the umbrella of JOHESU might cause during this period.
“We urge the consumers of health care and well-meaning Nigerians to empathise with us and also give solidarity to this struggle which is aimed at making healthcare delivery effective, accessible and affordable in the country.
“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 is committed to using social dialogue to resolve matters affecting the welfare and working conditions of our members.”
He also warned that no member should be victimised for participating in the strike, which he described as a “dispute of right.”
