Health Workers to Suspend Strike Tomorrow

It appears the association of health workers in Nigeria have reached a consensus with the government as the group is set to call off its nationwide industrial strike action.

 

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The Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU has directed all the branches of the union to hold their congresses today so as to call off the ongoing strike.

 

The health workers had last week declared that it was calling off the strike in principle after meeting with the Federal Government Negotiation Team led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige.

 

But on Sunday while briefing journalists JOHESU said that the strike was technically on suspended pending when the Federal Government would issue circulars based on the agreement.

 

In a statement Tuesday signed by its National President, Comrade Josiah Joy Biobelemoye and National Secretary Florence Ekpebor, the striking union said the Federal Government has sent the expected circulars, adding that the circulars have also been sent to various branches.

 

According to the statement, “Sequel to the receipt of the agreed circulars as part of the terms of settlement reached between the Federal Government and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), on Saturday 30th September, 2017, to end the strike which was suspended in principle. ”

 

After the signing of the terms of settlement; a special meeting of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the unions in JOHESU rose at 7.00pm today (yesterday), 3rd October, 2017, and resolved to inform members that copies of the signed agreement as well as the released circulars from the Federal Ministry of Health are being sent to all unions and branches of the unions comprising JOHESU.

 

“All branches are to hold their congresses tomorrow, Wednesday, 4th October, 2017, and bring the contents of the agreement and the circulars to the attention of members and thereafter, prepare to resume their duties on Thursday, 5th October, 2017.

“JOHESU wishes to thank members for their resolute stance to fight for their rights and assure them of our resolve at all times to provide good leadership as a deliberate policy of reciprocating such dutiful and loyal followership.

“We thank the government for building confidence into our membership by giving us positive glimpses that they would redeem other contents of the terms of settlement agreed at the negotiation on 30th September, 2017, especially, the five weeks moratorium agreed for the review of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS, and other salient issues contained therein.”