The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), the umbrella body for health workers in the country, has declared a nationwide strike.
In a statement on Sunday, National Leader of the unions, Biobelemoye Josiah, asked JOHESU members to withdraw their services, effective from midnight Sept.13.
Recall that on Friday, the leadership of the health workers met with the Federal Government over the planned industrial action.
However, no definite commitment was made and the unions requested to consult with their members before taking any stance.
But on Sunday, they said they were going ahead with the strike because the federal government had refused to meet their demands.
“In the light of the above, the meeting of our expanded NEC was held Saturday 12 September, 2020. And at the end of the meeting, which was held both physically and virtually, it was unanimously agreed that since nothing concrete was achieved at the said meeting with the Federal Government, that the strike notice is still germane and alive,” the statement read.
“Therefore, the 15-day ultimatum still subsists and with effect from midnight of Sunday, 13th September, 2020 our members shall withdraw their services due to Federal Government’s inability to meet their demands.”
The unions are demanding a review of the COVID-19 special inducement and hazard allowance as well as the payment of all withheld salaries of their members, including the withheld April and May 2018 salaries, among others.
The development comes a few days after the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) suspended its nationwide strike.
Read the full statement below.
JOINT HEALTH SECTOR UNIONS &
ASSEMBLY OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
Ayuba Wabba House, Plot 803, Cadastral Zone, Bo2 Durumi District, Area 1 Garki-Abuja
Email:[email protected] Tel: 08034029560, 08033556014
HO/JOHESU/ADM/FMoH/VOL.I/58
12th September, 2020
The Honourable Minister
Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment
Federal Secretariat Complex
Abuja
Dear Sir,
RE: NOTICE OF 15-DAY ULTIMATUM/OUTCOME OF JOHESU
EXPANDED NEC MEETING
You would recall that at the end of the meeting held in your office on Thursday, 10″ September 2020, JOHESU demanded that the outcome of the meeting between JOHESU and the Federal Government be reported back to our expanded NEC meeting and give feedback to the Federal government within 48 hours.
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In light of the above, the meeting of our expanded NEC was held today, Saturday, 12th September 2020. And at the end of the meeting, which was held both physically and virtually, it was unanimously agreed that since nothing concrete was achieved at the said meeting with the Federal Government, that the strike notice is still germane and alive.
Therefore, the 15-day ultimatum still subsists and with effect from midnight of Sunday, 13th September 2020, our members shall withdraw their services due to the Federal Government’s inability to meet their demands.
Kindly accept the assurances of our high esteem.
Signed:
Com. Biobelemoye Joy Josiah,
President
Medical & Health Workers’
Union of Nigeria (MHWUN)
Com. (Dr.) Silas 6. Adamu
Secretary-General
Medical & Health Workers’
Union of Nigeria (MHWUN)
Com. A. A. Adenij mn
President,
National Association of Nigeria
Nurses and Midwives (NANNM)
Com A. A. Shettima
General Secretary
National Association of Nigeria
Nurses and Midwives (NANNM)
Com. (Dr)A. B. Akintola
President,
Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes
And Associated Institutions (55AUTHRIAI)
Com. (Dr.) Ezekiel Popoola
General 5ecretary
Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes
And Associated Institutions (5SAUTHRIAI)
Com. Martin Egbanubi
General Secretary
Nigerian Union of Allied
Health Professionals (NUAHI
Com. (Dr.) 0.. Ogbonna
President
Nigerian Union of Alied
Health Professionals NUAtP)
Com. Hassan Makolo
National President,
Non-Academic Staff Union of
Educational & Associated
Institutions (NASU)
Com. P. A. Adeyem
General Secretary
Non-Academic Staff Union of
Educational & Associated
Institutions (NASU)
