Public health care workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) have given the Federal Government of Nigeria a 15-day ultimatum to address their longstanding grievances or risk another wave of industrial action.
In a joint statement signed by Dr. Kabiru Ado Minjibir, the National Chairman, and Comrade Martins Egbanubi, the National Secretary, JOHESU expressed frustration that the government has failed to meet their demands since they suspended their strike in June 2023, following assurances from President Bola Tinubu.
The union emphasized that the unresolved issues include the non-payment of COVID-19 hazard allowances, a demand for tax waivers on healthcare workers’ allowances, and a call for the immediate suspension of plans to establish a new agency regulating national health facilities.
“The Federal Government has not fulfilled its promises since we suspended our strike over a year ago,” the statement read. “We are calling on the government to act now, or we will have no choice but to resume industrial action.”
JOHESU previously embarked on a strike from May 19 to June 6, 2023, a period that significantly impacted public hospital services. The strike was suspended after President Tinubu promised to intervene, but the union maintains that the government has yet to deliver on that commitment.
The union’s leadership warned that if their demands are not addressed within the given timeframe, they would be forced to take further action to protect the welfare of their members.
