The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has suspended its seven-day warning strike and directed its members nationwide to resume on Monday, Sept. 21.
The health workers had embarked on the warning strike on September 14 following the failure of the government to meet their demands.
The demands included an upward review of COVID-19 special inducement and hazard allowances; the payment of all withheld salaries; and adjustment of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure since 2014, among others.
After a meeting with the Federal Government delegation on Sept. 11 failed to yield positive results, the leadership of the union directed members to proceed on a warning strike.
In a statement on Sunday by the JOHESU National Chairman, Biobelomoye Josiah, the union said it’s expanded National Executive Council would decide the next line of action in due course.
The union accused the FG of failing to address its demands, noting that the Federal Ministry of Health had continued to exhibit a high level of bias by refusing to address the demands presented during the warning strike “as was done to other bodies in the health sector.”
Rather than negotiating with the union, Josiah noted that the FG resorted to intimidation and blackmail of JOHESU members “using all forms of faceless organisation.”
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He stated that JOHESU would continue to use all legitimate means to defend the rights of its members in the health sector.
He said: “Nigerians should bear us witness that JOHESU has shown high patriotism by demanding that public health system in Nigeria is sustained and adequately financed for effective, efficient, and affordable healthcare service delivery.
“In view of the above and in line with the resolution of the expanded NEC meeting held physically and virtually on Sunday, September 20, 2020, I hereby declare that the seven-day warning strike is suspended.”
Josiah asked members of the union to await further directives while thanking them for their commitment, cooperation, and resilience during the warning strike.
