Michael Babatunde
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has on Thursday, May 25 embarked on an indefinite strike following the failure of government to meet its demands.
PLATFORM TIMES observed in Abeokuta members of the union raining courses on whoever attempts to boycott the strike action as workers were dismissed from the Federal Medical center, Abeokuta.
JOHESU had organized a rally to the National Assembly (NASS), to make their case before the legislators.
A 15-day ultimatum was issued to the Federal Government in a letter dated May 9 by the leadership over alleged inconsistencies of the government in the ongoing negotiations to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers on their platforms.
The organization which serves as an umbrella body of health workers’ unions and associations, noted that the government had shown tendencies to shift from their agreed terms and rules of engagement relating to non-discrimination in the determination of the wages and benefit packages of health workers in Nigeria.
While highlighting their demands, the unions called on the federal government to consolidate on Health Salary Structure as agreed in terms of the settlement of September 2017, which had lingered since 2014.
They also urged the government to pay peculiar allowance to health workers under the aegis of JOHESU/AHP as well as the immediate and unconditional implementation of the Consultant Cadre circular of pharmacists in all federal health Institutions.
Other demands include, payments of all withheld salaries of its members in Federal Medical Center in Owerri, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos University Teaching Hospital and their withheld April and May 2018 Salaries; speedy adjustment of retirement age from 60 – 65 years and the exclusion of some health workers in the payment of new hazard allowance as well as payment of COVID-19 allowance balance.
A source who does not want his name in print, told PLATFORM TIMES in Abeokuta that the union is displeased with the attention given to doctors at the expense of other health workers.
“Since 2010, there has been no review of JOHESU salary, the doctors are about to get their their salary review and we also know of other benefits coming. This strike is to also show that we are humans, we have been patient enough, if they can attend to the doctors, they should attend to us too, it’s belated. The doctors went on strike last week but we remained at our duty post. It looks like they took us for fools. It’s time to act,” the source told our reporter.
Meanwhile, as workers were told to leave the FMC in Abeokuta, workers were seen raining courses in Yoruba upon anyone who doesn’t comply with the move.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
