Supervising Labour Minister intervenes over JOHESU industrial action

Abuja (Federal Ministry of Labour Report) – The Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity, Kabiru Turaki has intervened in the on-going strike action embarked upon by health workers under the auspices of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) through initiating a conciliatory meeting with stakeholders to resolve the contending issues in the interest of concerned parties. 

The Supervising Minister during the meeting held in Abuja on Monday November 17, 2014 called on JOHESU to suspend the strike, in order to safeguard the health of Nigerians. He also observed that the strike has commenced in the Federal Health Institutions and Agencies with States and Local Governments slated to join up in a week time.

During deliberations at the meeting, participants resolved to follow due process in addressing the issues in dispute, saying although there was no written agreement between the Federal Government and JOHESU on the fundamental issue of adjustment of salaries for JOHESU as it was done for the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the same sector on January 1, 2014, the right to have the demand considered was however conceded to the members of JOHESU.

According to the report of the meeting with JOHESU, on the basis of acceptance by both parties, agreement would be entered into and implementation process specified. The parties in consideration of the above decisions noted that timeliness is of essence, stating that other issues in dispute would be considered in subsequent meetings. JOHESU promised to suspend the strike action after the meeting of its National Executive Council.

The conciliatory meeting was attended by the Minister of State and Supervising Minister of Health, Khaliru Alhassan (Dr), the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Clement Illoh (Dr) and his counterpart in the Ministry of Health, Linus Awute (Dr) as well as the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Richard Egbule and the Presdent of JOHESU, Ayuba Waba.