JOHESU Strike: 34 Days After, No Resolution In Sight

After meeting for six times since the nationwide strike began, it appears the Federal Government and the Joint Health Sector Unions, (JOHESU) are yet to reach a peaceful resolution on the disputes.

It is now 34 days since the indefinite strike was declared by the President of the union, Mr Josiah Biobelemoye, over a failed implementation of its demands by the Federal Government.

The demands include adjustment of consolidated health salary structure (CONHESS) as done for consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) since 2014, and the abolition of scale to scale promotion, payment of outstanding arrears of promotion, skipping and relativity.

Others are the implementation of court judgements and upward review of retirement age from 60 to 65.

There have been several closed-door meetings towards addressing the grievances of the union, but it has always been abolished, as both parties (FG & JOHESU) involved do not come into an agreement but rather trade blames.

The dispute which began on April 18th, 2018 has resulted in so many issues as patience is left to fend for them whenever they highlight at any health institution. Also, the life of HIV/AIDS patients is at risk as most of them cannot access their life-saving therapy.

However, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole urged the union to consider innocent Nigerians in need of health care and return to work while negotiations continues.

On a similar note, the Governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima, pleaded with JOHESU to halt the dispute so as to attend to emergency cases caused by the insurgency in the state.

Meanwhile, JOHESU yesterday, called on its members in Lagos, Kano and Yobe to relax the ongoing strike in a calculative manner in order to accommodate emergency services as the states had met its various demands and terms of settlement in agreements with the government.

“We urge our members in Lagos, Yobe and Kano to tactically relax the strike to accommodate emergency services in those states as a measure of goodwill,” stated Comrade Biobelemoye.