JOHESU, AHPA Declare Seven-Day Nationwide Warning Strike

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have announced a seven-day nationwide warning strike, beginning from midnight on Friday, October 25, 2024.

This decision was disclosed by JOHESU’s National President, Kabiru Minjibir, during a press briefing held after the unions’ expanded National Executive Council (NEC) hybrid meeting in Abuja.

Minjibir explained that the unions had yet to receive any favorable response from the federal government regarding critical demands, despite assurances made during meetings with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“If at the end of the seven-day warning strike the federal government fails to meet our demands, JOHESU will have no other option but to embark on an indefinite strike,” he warned.

Minjibir further noted that the action could have been avoided if the government had utilized the 15-day ultimatum period, issued on October 10, 2024, to resolve the issues in line with the provisions of the Trade Disputes Act, Cap. T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“JOHESU remains committed to using social dialogue to resolve issues affecting members’ welfare and working conditions,” he added.

“We will keep all channels of communication open during this period.”

The union is demanding:
– Immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment
– Payment of 25% CONHESS review arrears (June–December 2023)
– Settlement of nine months’ salary arrears (January–September 2024) for workers of Regulatory Agencies
– Restoration of funding for the Environmental Health Regulatory Council
– Reconstitution of boards and governing councils of federal health institutions

Additionally, the union is calling for an upward review of the retirement age of health workers through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to the Federal Executive Council.

Other demands include:
– Tax waivers on healthcare workers’ allowances
– Payment of COVID-19 hazard allowances to omitted health workers
– Suspension of the planned National Health Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA)
– Withdrawal of the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by the health ministry
– Full implementation of approved allowances and call duty for Pharm.D holders

JOHESU’s affiliate unions include the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), 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).

The unions warned that the strike could escalate to an indefinite industrial action if their demands are not met within the warning period.