The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) has officially issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding resolution of pending welfare issues affecting its members.
The unions have warned that failure to meet their demands will result in a resumption of industrial action starting October 25, 2024.
This ultimatum was communicated in a memo addressed to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, and highlighted the unresolved issues that previously led to a strike from May 19 to June 6, 2023. This earlier strike was suspended following promises of intervention from President Bola Tinubu.
The unions represent a diverse group of healthcare workers, including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutions, and Associated Institutions, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
The memo, signed by JOHESU‘s National Chairman, Kabiru Minjibir, and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, detailed a range of demands that have remained unaddressed.
Key issues include the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure to align with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, the establishment of a consultant cadre for pharmacists in federal health institutions, and an increase in the retirement age from 60 to 65 years for health workers and 70 years for consultants.
Additionally, the unions are demanding the payment of arrears related to the CONHESS review, tax waivers on healthcare workers’ allowances, and immediate payment of COVID-19 hazard allowances to excluded health workers.
Other pressing demands include the suspension of planned activities of the National Health Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA) and the withdrawal of the Drug Revolving Fund Standard Operating Procedures.
READ ALSO: ASUU Issues 14-Day Strike Notice to Federal Government
The memo outlined a clear timeline: “Consequently, arising from the unanimous resolution of JOHESU Expanded National Executive Council at a hybrid meeting held on 2nd October 2024, and in compliance with the provisions of Section 41 of the Trade Disputes Act Cap.T8 LFN, 2004, JOHESU is constrained to give the Federal Government of Nigeria 15 days ultimatum with effect from Thursday, 10th October 2024, and to inform you that with effect from midnight of Friday, October 25, 2024, all our members in the Federal Health Institutions shall embark on seven days strike action.”
The unions further emphasized, “However, if at the end of the seven-day warning strike, the Federal government fails to meet our demands, JOHESU has no other option than to embark on an indefinite strike action.”
The memo stressed that JOHESU has demonstrated maturity and patriotism in its dealings with the government. “Honourable Minister Sir, you will agree with us that JOHESU has always exhibited maturity, selflessness, and patriotism even in the face of extreme provocations and the government’s long delay in meeting these demands of workers under JOHESU and we think that our maturity and patriotism have been taken for granted.”
As the deadline approaches, the unions are keenly monitoring the government’s response to their demands, which they describe as essential for the welfare of healthcare workers. “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 concluded.
