Nationwide Strike Looms Again

The nation’s health sector might be embroiled in another round of nation-wide strike if the treat by Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) is anything to go by.

At the National Executive Council meeting of JOHESU comprising of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Nigerian Union of Pharmacists, Medical Scientists and Professional Allied to Medicine (NUPMTPAM), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospital, Research Institutes, and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and Assembly of Health Professional Associations, held on the 5^th of February, 2013, the Unions complained of the continued failure of the Minister of Health to acknowledge in whatever form letters written to his office.

In a letter of ultimatum with reference number JOHESU/ADM/VOL1/132/2013 issued at the end of the meeting to Federal Minister of Health, the body expresses regret over how the minister had in a dismissive fashion failed to implement the extant resolutions on outstanding issues.

Condemning the recalcitrant attitude of the Minister of Health in flouting collective agreements, JOHESU in her letter of ultimatum signed by Dr Ayuba P. Wabba and Yusuf-Badmus W. G, chairman and secretary respectively, stated that they will be left with no option but to embark on a nation-wide industrial action subsequent to the lapsing of the 14-day ultimatum, if necessary action is not taken by the Minister forthwith.

It will be recalled that on the 10^th of May, 2012, the Ministry of Health had in the presence of officers of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, and National Income, Salaries and Wages Commission, reached an agreement with the Unions on the following issues;

1.      Presidential Committee Report on Harmony in Health Sector

2.      Promotion of Health Professionals from CONHESS 14 to 15

3.      Request for Implementation of 2008 Job Evaluation Committee Report

4.      Need to review the retirement age

5. Recomposition of Boards of Managements of the Tertiary Health Institutions to ensure equitable representation of Professional Associations and Registered Trade Unions.

The 14-day ultimatum will however expire on the 21^st of February, 2013.