The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) have directed its members to embark on an indefinite strike, beginning from Thursday, 25 May.
The National Vice President of JOHESU, Mr Obinna Ogbonna, made this known at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
He said the union had, in a letter dated 9 May, issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over the government inconsistencies in the ongoing negotiations to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers.
He said the ultimatum commenced on May 10 and would expire at midnight on Thursday, 25 May.
“The strike is consequent upon the nonchalant, biased, and lackadaisical attitude of the Ministry of Health against JOHESU members and the resolution of the expanded National Executive Council meeting of the JOHESU held on May 8,” he said.
“Our members in federal health institutions nationwide are hereby directed to withdraw their services indefinitely commencing from 00:00 hour on Thursday, May 25, 2023,’’ he said.
Health workers in OAUTHC join indefinite strike
Meanwhile, health workers at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), have joined their colleagues at Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Health Care Professional Association (AHPA) in their indefinite strike nationwide.
Comrade Abdullateef Adeyeni, the Chairman, Joint Action Committee of Union OAUTHC, made this known during an interview on Thursday in Ile-Ife.
Adeyeni, who doubles as Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Universities’ Teaching Hospitals Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SAUTHRIAI), said that the staff has been directed to stay away from work until they are called back to work.
The Chairman added that the strike embarked upon were authorised by the executive members of the unions. It was called because the federal government failed to meet their demands since 2009.
“Since 2009, two salary tables were created by the Federal Government, one for doctors and the other one for health workers; that of the doctors has been reviewed four times while our remains untouched.
“We pleaded with the present administration severally to consider the inflation and the value of the Naira, but all our efforts to review our salary structure proved abortive.
“Surprisingly, two weeks ago, the doctors said they needed another review, their fourth, and hurriedly, the government called them back, whereas they said that there was no money for us, but there’s money for doctors,” he said.
The Chairman explained that until fairness, justice, and equity are done, there cannot be peace in the health sector.
Adeyeni said that recently, the Federal Government approved 40 per cent peculiar allowance for all Federal workers, excluding health personnel.
According to him, union is demanding for immediate payment of the omission and shortfall in the COVID-19 hazard/inducement allowances of affected health workers in the federal health institutions.
Others include recognition of health workers in non-core hospital facilities in the payment of new hazard allowances and payment and inculcation of peculiar allowances to health workers under the JOHESU/AHPA.
He called for a speedy implementation of the increase in retirement age from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for consultants in the health professions.
