The Joint Health Sector Unions has suspended its seven-day warning strike and directed its members nationwide to resume on Monday. According to JOHESU the decision was made following a meeting of the union's National Executive Council (NEC) which was held on Sunday. By the directive, all health workers under the five unions that made up the JOHESU and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations are expected to return to work across all the Federal Health Institutions in the country. In a statement signed by JOHESU's national chairman, Biobelemoye Josiah, the union said it suspended the industrial action not because it demands have been resolved by the government but to "sustain" the running of Nigeria's public health systems.
The health workers had embarked on the warning strike on September 14 following the failure of the government to meet their demands.
These include an upward review of COVID-19 special inducement and hazard allowances; the payment of all withheld salaries; and adjustment of Consolidated Media Salary Structure since 2014, among others issues.
“This is to bring to your notice the seven-day warning strike would come to an end by midnight of Sunday, 20th September 2020”, the statement read.
“By this notice, all health workers under the five unions that make up JOHESU shall return to work on Monday, 21st of September 2020.
“However, since the federal government has continued to exhibit high level of bias/discrimination by refusing to address the demands of our members as presented by JOHESU within the seven days of the warning strike as was done to other bodies in the health sector, the next line of action would be decided in due course by the expanded NEC.