Health workers suspend strike for 6 weeks
Health workers in Nigeria have suspended the warning strike they embarked on October 25, to give room for implementation of agreement reached with the Nigerian government.
The Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, took the decision at an emergency meeting of its expanded National Executive Council (NEC).
The National Chairman of JOHESU, Mr Kabiru Minjibir, and Mr Martin Egbanubi, the National Secretary, signed the communique of the meeting.
The union said its team had signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Federal Government team during the conciliation meeting held on October 29 at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“NEC-in-session after extensive deliberations resolved that the suspension of the seven-day warning strike effective from midnight, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 in the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and in general public interest.
“Time line of six weeks given to the Federal Government to meet all her obligations contained in the MoU.
“Expanded NEC meeting shall be convened upon the expiration of the six (6) weeks’ deadlines to review development and take appropriate decisions.
“Indefinite strike action shall be the next option if the Expanded NEC of JOHESU is not satisfied with the Federal Government responses to the implementation of her obligations contained in the MoU,” it said.
The demands of the union include immediate implementation of CONHESS adjustment, payment of 25 per cent CONHESS reviewed arrears, payment of nine months salary to staff of Regulatory Agencies.
Others were the restoration of funding to Environmental Health Regulatory Council, reconstitution of Boards and Governing Councils of Federal Health Institutions, and the commencement of the process for upward review of retirement age of health workers, among others.
