Nigerian health workers suspend strike after meeting Tinubu
The Nigerian Health workers’ union under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on Monday suspended its 12-day-old strike following progress made during the engagement with the President Bola Tinubu.
Penpushing reports that National Vice President of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) Obinna Ogbonna, confirmed the development, explaining that the health workers called a meeting shortly after meeting with the president and decided to call off the strike and gave a 21-day timeline to the government.
“We met with Mr President at the villa earlier today, and he pleaded with the striking health workers to give him the benefit of the doubt that he will resolve the matters amicably to our own benefit and positive results. The congress considered his plea and also said we should give a 21-day timeline to assess progress and commitment of state actors in resolving the issues’, Ogbonna said.
Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that the health workers’ union commenced an indefinite strike on Thursday, 25 May, 2023 following the alleged failure of the Nigerian government to meet its demand.
The health workers are demanding the immediate approval and implementation of the technical committee report on CONHESS adjustment by the government, immediate payment of the omission and shortfall in the COVID-19 hazard/inducement allowances of affected health workers in federal health institutions.
Penpushing also reports that other demands include the immediate and unconditional implementation of the pharmacist consultant cadre, unconditional payment of all withheld salaries of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Jos University Teaching Hospital, and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and outstanding April and May 2018 salaries of members at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Azare.
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) is the association of health workers apart from medical doctors and dentists, equally called for the speedy implementation of the increase in the retirement age from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for consultants in the health professions.
Penpushing reports that the union consists of health workers’ unions and associations, including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, and Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes, and Associated Institutions, and Assembly of Health Care Professional Association (AHPA).
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