Strike: Federal health workers issue 15-day ultimatum

LAGOS — The Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, has threatened to embark on nationwide strike if Federal Government fails to implement a mutual agreement on workers welfare and condition of service. In a letter released yesterday, JOHESU said there was no going back on the strike threat, except the government released appropriate circulars to give effect to all the negotiated issues which includes reconstitution of boards of health institutions, staff promotion from levels 14 to 15 on the consolidated health salary scale for directors, and review of retirement age from 60 to 65 years. Failure to meet this demand will resort to total withdrawal of services starting from May 19, 2014, the group warned. The letter entitled: “Notice of 15 Days Final Ultimatum” addressed to the Federal Ministry of Health, FMOH, JOHESU listed their demands to include: Non-skipping of consolidated health salary skill, CONHESS,10, National Health Bill, Presidential committee report on harmony in the health sector and promotion of health professionals from CONHESS 14 to 15. Other demands are consultancy and specialist allowance, call shift and other professional allowances, implementation of 2008 Job Evaluation Committee report, re-constitution of Boards of management of teaching and other tertiary hospitals and appointment of ministers of health.