Meeting between the federal government and the striking health workers Mixed unions in the health sector (JOHESU) ended in a deadlock.
The National Vice President of JOHESU, Obinna Ogbonna, confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday evening.
Ogbonna said the meeting took place on Thursday at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) shortly after the union declared a strike on Thursday.
“The meeting ended in a deadlock because we could not reach an agreement with the federal government,” he said.
Health workers strike
PREMIUM TIMES reported how the union started an indefinite strike on Thursday, alleging that the federal government failed to meet its demands.
In a letter dated May 9, the union issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government, accusing it of “inconsistency in ongoing negotiations”. Consolidated Health Pay Structure (CONHESS) for health workers”.
Ogbonna said it is advisable for the union to go on strike after the ultimatum expires.
Requests
Health workers demand that the government immediately approve and implement the report of the technical committee on the adjustment of CONHESS.
They are also demanding immediate payment for the negligence and deficiency of the COVID-19 risks/effectiveness of the affected health workers of the federal health institutions.
They also want the immediate and unconditional establishment of the cadre of Pharmaceutical Consultants, unconditional payment of all retained salaries at the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, Jos University Teaching Hospital and Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the outstanding salaries of the FMC members for April and May 2018. , Nov.
Also, the union demands the rapid implementation of the retirement age for health professions consultants from 60 years to 65 years and 70 years.
Interruption
Mr. Ogbonna said most of those present at Thursday’s meeting were from the ministry of health which disrupted the meeting.
The union leader said: “When we arrived at the meeting, everyone, except for the National Wages and Salaries Commission, was from the FMoH and it was the minister who had already taken a position on the matter. It is impossible to give a fitting that it was CONHESS who chaired the meeting.
“We had to tell him that he is interested in this issue and the ministry gave us permission to declare a strike and according to the labor law, there is already a commercial dispute and if a commercial dispute is declared, the interested parties. the party should not be the one who will be the head of the matter, because you cannot be the judge in your own case.’
Ogbonna said henceforth, the matter will be taken over by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment, which will act as the conciliator between the health workers and the FMoH.
He said the meeting had been postponed until next week, “but the date has not been fixed yet due to the mood of the nation and ongoing inauguration activities.”
About JOHESU
JOHESU is an association of health workers, in addition to doctors and dentists.
JOHESU’s membership includes other health workers unions and associations including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria; Union of Allied Health Professionals of Nigeria; Non-Academic Union of Employees of Education and Associated Institutions; Association of Senior Staff of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, and the Association of Health Professionals Association (AHPA).
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