JOHESU declares seven-day strike over FG’s failure to address welfare issues

Our reporter/ Members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) on Friday announced a seven-day warning strike.

Kabiru Minjibir, national chair of JOHESU, who spoke to reporters after the union’s national executive council meeting, said there had been no positive response from the government despite repeated assurances during meetings with various ministries and agencies.

He further explained that the strike could have been avoided if the government had responded to the 15-day notice.

JOHESU had earlier this month issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government to resolve these welfare issues.

The key demands include the immediate implementation of the consolidated health salary structure and a 25 percent review of 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.

“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,” Kabiru Minjibir, national chairman of JOHESU told reporters on Friday.

”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” he said.