The Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals have given the Federal Government a 15-day ultimatum to address pending welfare issues.
JOHESU National President, Kabir Minjibir, issued the ultimatum in a memo to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate.
Minjibir expressed frustration over the government’s non-response and delayed action on lingering issues.
The union had previously suspended a nationwide strike from May 19 to June 6, 2023, following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.
However, JOHESU claims the government has yet to address key demands, including salary adjustments, retirement age review, payment of arrears and allowances, and COVID-19 hazard allowances.
Minjibir emphasized JOHESU’s maturity and patriotism despite “extreme provocations” and government delays.
He warned that the union’s benevolence should not be taken for granted, stressing that the 15-day ultimatum, begins immediately and will expire on October 25.
”All our members in the Federal Health Institutions shall embark on seven days strike action.
“Sir, you will agree with us that JOHESU has always exhibited maturity, selflessness, and patriotism.
“This is even in the face of extreme provocations and the government’s long delay in meeting the demands of workers under JOHESU, and we think that our maturity and patriotism have been taken for granted.
“This 15-day ultimatum is necessitated by the non-response of the Federal Government to the plight of our members, despite our benevolence.
“The issues listed by the unions include the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure as was done with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure since January 2, 2014.
“There is also the implementation of a consultant cadre for pharmacists in Federal Health Institutions, the upward review in the retirement age from 60-65 years for health workers and 70 years for consultants.
“He said that payment of JOHESU members in professional regulatory councils, payment of arrears of CONHESS review, and the tax waiver on healthcare workers’ allowances were also part of the lingering demands.
“We also demand the immediate payment of COVID-19 inducement hazard allowances to omitted health workers, and immediate suspension of planned establishment and activities of National Health Facility Regulatory Agency.
“There is also a demand for the withdrawal of the Drug Revolving Fund Standard Operating Procedures.”
