JOHESU Suspends Planned Strike, Gives FG Another Ultimatum

The Joint Health Sectors Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations have again given the Federal Government another 15 days to meet their demands.

Naija News reports that the union suspended it’s planned strike which they had earlier threatened to commence starting from today, September 18, 2021.

JOHESU had fumed in a statement dated September 2, assuring to embark on strike over unmet demands and also issued a 15-day ultimatum to the FG.

However, following an emergency meeting of the expanded National Executive Council of the union and AHPA on Friday, they urged thr Federal Government to expedite action and fulfil all demands within 15 days.

JOHESU made their new grace period known in a statement released on Friday evening on behalf of the union by its acting National General, Mathew Ajorutu.

The expanded NEC comprised the Presidents and General Secretaries of affiliate unions and professional associations, NEC members of affiliate unions and JOHESU Chairmen and Secretaries at the State and Branch levels, Naija News understands.

The NEC-in-Session said it critically appraised the reports of JOHESU negotiation and conciliation meetings with FG since the declaration of the trade dispute through the 15-day strike notice issued on September 2.

NEC also noted the appeal from President Muhammadu Buhari, on the need to show understanding with his administration and his pledge to pay any debt owed health workers.

The government said it has been informed of congresses held at various health facilities across the country on the mobilisation for the strike action, of which is has put into consideration.

The communique read, “NEC-in-Session after long hours of exhaustive of deliberations on issues surrounding the planned strike action resolved as follows:

“The Federal Ministry of Health should ensure speedy circularisation of all establishment and welfare matters as agreed during negotiation meetings.

“The Federal Government should ensure that the new data for the computation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure for JOHESU members be completed and submitted to the ‘High Level Body’ of the FG not later than Wednesday, 22nd September, 2021 as agreed.

“NEC-in-Session urges the Federal Government to ensure that the ‘High Level Body’ complete and submit the computation of the adjusted CONHESS for inclusion in the 2022 budget within the 30th September, 2021 submission window.”

The union further urged the FG to reciprocate “the patriotic humanitarian gesture of JOHESU in the interest of the larger Nigerian masses to expeditiously resolve all the demands within the 15 days window.

“Finally, NEC-in-Session unanimously adopts a resolution to step down the notice of strike action due to expire mid-night 17th September, 2021 and issue a fresh notice of 15 days,” the unions said.