JOHESU Gives FG 15-day Ultimatum Over Unimplemented Agreements

The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), an umbrella body of professionals in the health sector in the country, has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement agreements reached with the union or face indefinite industrial action.

The ultimatum was issued at a press briefing by the leadership of the union in Abeokuta at the weekend.

President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Alani Adeniji, who read a statement signed by National Secretary of JOHESU, Yusuf Badmus, said the union had been patient enough with the Federal Government, adding that all but one of the 15 demands of the union have been pending for years.

"In view of the inability of the Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, to meet our demands, the Federal Government intervened through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation."

"However, from January to September 2014 very little has been achieved as most agreements earlier reached between Federal Government and JOHESU are not implemented."

"We therefore demand immediate resolution of all matters pending between JOHESU and Federal Government within the next 15 days i.e. not later than October 8, 2014, or face indefinite strike action," Adeniji said.

The union listed its demands to include promotion of members from level 14 to 15, and immediate release of circular on adjustment of salary as done for doctors since January 2014.

Also the union demanded immediate release of circular on the extension of retirement age to be backdated to February and payment of arrears of the specialist allowance to qualified hospital-based professionals with effect from January.

According to Adeniji, the only new item on the demands is demand number 15 which spells out some allowances and reduction of tax.

"There is need to urgently set up a collective bargaining agreement committee to look at the following allowances for JOHESU members: headship allowance, administrative allowance, professional allowance, excess workload allowance, health and safety site allowance and responsibility allowance."

"Reduction of the excess taxation on health workers salaries. It is absurd to be taxing professional allowances. Restoration of working days as annual leave."

"It is our hope that government would quickly accede to these demands bearing in mind that JOHESU have exercised sufficient patience and maturity for more than one year over the demands," the union said.