Home News Health Workers Announce Seven-Day Nationwide Warning Strike

Health Workers Announce Seven-Day Nationwide Warning Strike

141
0

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke

Under the Joint Health Sectors Union (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA), health workers across Nigeria have declared a seven-day nationwide warning strike starting at midnight on October 25.

JOHESU’s National President, Kabiru Minjibir, announced this decision during a press briefing held at the conclusion of an extended National Executive Council (NEC) hybrid meeting in Abuja on Friday.

Minjibir expressed frustration with the lack of meaningful response from the federal government regarding critical demands, despite repeated assurances in meetings with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“If after the seven-day warning strike, our demands remain unaddressed, we will have no choice but to initiate an indefinite strike,” Minjibir warned. He added that the current strike could have been prevented if the government had taken action within the 15-day notice period under the Trade Disputes Act, Cap. T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

JOHESU emphasized its preference for social dialogue to resolve issues affecting its members’ welfare and working conditions, promising to keep communication channels open throughout the strike.

The unions issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government on October 10, 2024, threatening a total shutdown of operations in hospitals nationwide if their demands are unmet. The union’s demands include the immediate implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment, the payment of 25% CONHESS arrears for June to December 2023, and back payment of nine months’ salaries (January to September 2024) to employees of Regulatory Agencies.

Additional demands include funding restoration for the Environmental Health Regulatory Council, immediate reconstitution of Federal Health Institution Boards, a review of health workers’ retirement age, and the suspension of plans to establish a National Health Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA). The union also calls for the withdrawal of the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and requests the implementation of allowances for Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) holders.

JOHESU comprises members from various unions, including the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here