JOHESU ridicules FG stance on health workers” strike
Health workers under the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) who were on a seven-day warning strike claimed the federal government’s statement that their strike was illegal and their union unregistered is "laughable". JOHESU is umbrella body for Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), National […]
Health workers under the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) who were on a seven-day warning strike claimed the federal government’s statement that their strike was illegal and their union unregistered is "laughable".
JOHESU is umbrella body for Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals Association (AHPA).
MHWUN president Josiah Biobelemoye said the strike is legitimate because JOHESU had followed due process to issue ultimatums totalling 92 days since February 2015 when it suspended its strike.
"It is the same issues that have been lingering till this day. So, if we are resuming a strike that was suspended, would you say that is illegal? Ordinarily, we ought not to have gone through that process, if government had done the right thing."
He insisted that all five unions that signed JOHESU documents were registered.
The latest strike started Wednesday after JOHESU said the Federal government’s negotiators denied all agreements reached between both parties, prompting nurses, pharmacists, laboratory workers and other Hospital technicians to stay off work.
The strike has been worsened by a simultaneous walk-out by resident doctors, leaving only emergency services available in federal hospitals.
JOHESU wants further negotiations and has threatened to intensify its action, citing recent government negotiations with resident doctors.
"It is just for the plight of Nigerians that we have been very patient. So, if they fail to [negotiate] when they are negotiating with other really illegal people, organizations that are not registered as labour organizations, and have granted them their request, we, as an organization, will step back to review the situation. But, I assure you, we may widen the scope then. If we are forced to do so … we will not limit it to sitting at home, we will also engage in street protests, rallies and other legal means," said Biobelemoye.
AHPA president Godswill Okara said the federal health ministry’s denial of the agreements reached was a "discriminatory antic" because all three top most sensitive positions were occupied by medical doctors and showed insincerity.
"The documents are there to speak for themselves. I have here with me up to 10 different documents, memoranda of understanding, agreements signed at various times by high level officials of government. So, how on earth can somebody wake up and say there is no agreement. It shows insincerity of the highest level. And, that is what we have been complaining about," Okara said.