Health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals have issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over non-implementation of the union’s demands.
The health union workers include the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, and the Senior Staff Association of Universities.
Others are the staff of teaching hospitals, research institutions and associated institutions, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
In a memo jointly signed by Kabir Minjibir, the National President of JOHESU and Martin Engbanubi, the Secretary of the association, the union said it would embark on its planned strike in 15 days with effect from Thursday, October 10, 2024, should FG fail to implement its demands.
Addressed to the coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, the union listed some of its pending welfare issues yet to be resolved by the government.
”All our members in the Federal Health Institutions shall embark on seven days strike action.
“Sir, you will agree with us that JOHESU has always exhibited maturity, selflessness, and patriotism.
“This is even in the face of extreme provocations and the government’s long delay in meeting the demands of workers under JOHESU, and we think that our maturity and patriotism have been taken for granted.
“This 15-day ultimatum is necessitated by the non-response of the Federal Government to the plight of our members, despite our benevolence,” the memo said.
It also recalled that some lingering issues had led the unions to embark on a nationwide strike from May 19 to June 6, 2023, but was suspended consequent upon the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
“The issues listed by the unions include the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure as was done with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure since January 2, 2014.
“There is also the implementation of a consultant cadre for pharmacists in Federal Health Institutions, the upward review in the retirement age from 60-65 years for health workers and 70 years for consultants,” it added.
According to the memo, payment of JOHESU members in professional regulatory councils, payment of arrears of CONHESS review, and the tax waiver on healthcare workers’ allowances were also part of the lingering demands.
The union in addition to this, demanded the immediate payment of COVID-19 inducement hazard allowances to omitted health workers, and immediate suspension of planned establishment and activities of the National Health Facility Regulatory Agency.
“There is also a demand for the withdrawal of the Drug Revolving Fund Standard Operating Procedures,” it said.
Mr Minjibir said that the unions demanded the immediate implementation of CONHESS adjustments and immediate payment of 25 per cent CONHESS review arrears.
He also called for the immediate payment of nine-month outstanding salaries to staff of regulatory agencies and the immediate restoration of funding to the Environmental Health Regulatory Council.
