The Joint Health Sectors Union, JOHESU, in collaboration with the Assembly of Health Professionals Associations, AHPA, has declared a seven-day nationwide warning strike commencing Friday, October 25, 2024 at midnight.

JOHESU National President, Kabiru Minjibir, made this statement while addressing journalists at the end of the expanded hybrid meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the unions in Abuja on Friday.

Minjibir said the unions were yet to get a positive response from the federal government on some of the critical issues raised despite repeated assurances during meetings with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, as well as MDAs.

“If at the end of the seven-day warning strike, the Federal Government fails to meet our demands, JOHESU has no option but to embark on an indefinite strike.

“Nigerians should note that this action would have been avoided if the Federal Government had, within the period of the 15-day strike notice or ultimatum, responded using all options available in the relevant provisions of the Disputes Act commercial Cap. T8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to address this conflict of law.

“JOHESU is always committed to using the instruments of social dialogue to resolve issues affecting the well-being and working conditions of its members.

“So we will keep all our communication channels open during this period,” he said.

DAILY POST recalls that the unions had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on October 10, 2024, to resolve the issues or risk total closure of its operations in hospitals across the country.

The workers demanded the immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, the immediate payment of 25 percent of the CONHESS revision arrears (June – December 2023) and the immediate payment of nine (9) months of salary (January – September 2024) to workers of Regulatory Agencies.

Other demands are the immediate restoration of funding to the Environmental Health Regulatory Council, the immediate reconstitution of the governing boards/boards of federal health institutions.

They also demand the initiation of the process of upward revision of the retirement age of health workers through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Protection to the Federal Executive Council.

Other issues in dispute included tax exemption on healthcare worker allowances, immediate payment of COVID 19 incentive risk allowances to omitted healthcare workers.

They also demand the immediate suspension of the establishment and planned activities of the National Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (NHFRA).

Furthermore, JOHESU demands the removal of the illegal Drug Revolving Fund, DRF, from the Standard Operating Procedures, SOP, by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, as well as the full implementation of the approved entry point , custody rights and other allowances for the holders. of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D).

Members of the JOHESU affiliated unions belong to the Medical and Sanitation Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, and the Nigerian Union of Paramedical Professionals, NUAHP.

Others are the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU.