JOHESU suspends warning strike

By the directive, all health workers under the five unions that made up the JOHESU and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations are expected to return to work across all the Federal Health Institutions in the country.

The health workers had embarked on the warning strike on September 14 following the failure of the government to meet their demands.

These include an upward review of COVID-19 special inducement and hazard allowances; the payment of all withheld salaries; and adjustment of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure since 2014, among others.

The union subsequently met with the Federal Government on September 11 but no concrete agreement was reached.

But in a statement on Sunday by the JOHESU National Chairman, Biobelomoye Josiah, the union said it's expanded National Executive Council would decide the next line of action in due course.

The union accused the FG of failing to address its demands, noting that the Federal Ministry of Health had continued to exhibit a high level of bias by refusing to address the demands presented during the warning strike "as was done to other bodies in the health sector.ÔÇØ

Rather than negotiating with the union, Josiah said the FG resorted to intimidation and blackmail of JOHESU members "using all forms of faceless organisation.ÔÇØ

He said JOHESU would continue to use all legitimate means to defend the rights of its members in the health sector.

The union leader said, "Nigerians should bear us witness that JOHESU has shown high patriotism by demanding that public health system in Nigeria is sustained and adequately financed for effective, efficient, and affordable healthcare service delivery.

"In view of the above and in line with the resolution of the expanded NEC meeting held physically and virtually on Sunday, September 20, 2020, I hereby declare that the seven-day warning strike is suspended.ÔÇØ

The union admonished its members to await further directives while thanking them for their commitment, cooperation, and resilience during the warning strike.