Health Professionals Issue 15-Day Ultimatum to FG
Strike Looms Over Unmet Welfare Demands
“This 15-day ultimatum is necessitated by the non-response of the Federal Government to the plight of our members...”
Health Workers' Union JOHESU issues ultimatum to FG: address long-standing welfare concerns, regulatory issues or face industrial action
JOHESU, the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals, has just given the Federal Government a 15-day ultimatum to resolve their outstanding welfare issues or face industrial action. This warning was conveyed in a memo dated October 9, 2024, and addressed to Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
Focal Needs
- Mass Recruitment of healthcare workers to address shortages
- Corrected Promotion Letters and implementation of adjusted salary structures
- Enhanced Hazard Allowances for healthcare professionals in high-risk settings
- Lateral Conversion and Career Progression opportunities for qualified nurses and midwives.
The memo, titled “Notice of 15-Day Ultimatum and Resumption of Suspended Strike Action,” clearly states that if their demands remain unmet, JOHESU will resume its suspended strike on October 25, 2024. This move is a last resort, as JOHESU hopes the government will take immediate action to address their concerns.
Key Demands:
- Resolution of outstanding welfare issues
- Immediate action to address healthcare professionals' concerns
Timeline:
- 15-day ultimatum (began October 9, 2024)
- Strike resumption (October 25, 2024, if demands are not met)
JOHESU's national chairman and national secretary jointly issued the statement, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The Federal Government must now act swiftly to prevent the impending strike and ensure the continued delivery of essential healthcare services.
The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) is a collective body comprising several healthcare unions, including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, and others. Recently, JOHESU's National Chairman, Kabiru Minjibir, and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, issued a memo highlighting the persistent unresolved welfare issues affecting healthcare professionals.
Pivotal Unions within JOHESU:
- Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria
- Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals
- Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutions, and Associated Institutions
- Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions
These issues previously led to a strike from May 19 to June 6, 2023, which was suspended after President Bola Tinubu intervened. Unfortunately, the concerns remain unaddressed, prompting JOHESU to issue a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, threatening industrial action if their demands are not met.
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has outlined several key demands to improve working conditions and compensation for healthcare professionals in Nigeria.
Key Demands:
Salary Adjustment: Align the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to ensure fair compensation for health workers
Pharmacist Consultant Cadre: Establish a consultant cadre for pharmacists in Federal Health Institutions to recognize their expertise and provide opportunities for career advancement.
Retirement Age Increase: Raise the retirement age for health workers from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for consultants to retain experienced professionals and address staffing shortages.
Professional Regulatory Council Payments: Ensure JOHESU members receive payment in professional regulatory councils to support their work and professional development.
Additional demands from JOHESU:
Outstanding Payments: Payment of arrears related to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) review to ensure healthcare workers receive their due compensation.
Tax Relief: Tax waivers on healthcare workers' allowances to alleviate financial burdens.
COVID-19 Hazard Allowances: Immediate payment of COVID-19 inducement hazard allowances to health workers who were previously omitted.
Regulatory Reforms:
Suspension of the planned establishment and activities of the National Health Facility Regulatory Agency.
Withdrawal of the Drug Revolving Fund Standard Operating Procedures.
These demands aim to address the welfare and working conditions of healthcare professionals in Nigeria, building on previous agreements and strikes, including the suspended strike in May 2023.
Immediate CONHESS
Implementation: JOHESU wants the federal government to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) without delay.
CONHESS Review Arrears: The unions are seeking payment of 25% of the CONHESS review arrears to compensate healthcare workers.
Regulatory Agency Salaries: JOHESU demands settlement of nine months' salary (January to September 2024) for staff of Regulatory Agencies.
Environmental Health Regulatory Council Funding: The unions want restoration of funding to the Environmental Health Regulatory Council to support vital health initiatives.
Reconstitution of Boards/Governing Councils: JOHESU urges reconstitution of Boards/Governing Councils of Federal Health Institutions to ensure effective management and oversight.
Demands from the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) rephrased for clarity:
Retirement Age Increase: Initiate the process to raise the retirement age of health workers through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to the Federal Executive Council.
Tax Relief: Grant tax waivers on healthcare workers' allowances.
COVID-19 Hazard Allowances: Ensure prompt payment of COVID-19 inducement hazard allowances to omitted health workers.
Regulatory Reforms
NHFRA Suspension: Suspend planned activities of the National Health Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA).
Drug Revolving Fund: Withdraw the Drug Revolving Fund Standard Operating Procedures by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Pharmacy Professionals' Benefits: Implement approved entry points, call duty, and other allowances for holders of Doctor of Pharmacy degrees.
These demands aim to address the welfare and working conditions of healthcare professionals in Nigeria, ensuring fair compensation, recognition, and improved healthcare services.
“Consequently, arising from the unanimous resolution of JOHESU Expanded National Executive Council at a hybrid meeting held on 2nd October 2024, and in compliance with the provisions of Section 41 of the Trade Disputes Act Cap.T8 LFN, 2004, JOHESU is constrained to give the Federal Government of Nigeria 15 days ultimatum with effect from Thursday, 10th October 2024, and to inform you that with effect from midnight of Friday, October 25, 2024, all our members in the Federal Health Institutions shall embark on seven days strike action.
“However, if at the end of the seven-day warning strike, the Federal government fails to meet our demands, JOHESU has no other option than to embark on an indefinite strike action.
“Honourable Minister Sir, you will agree with us that JOHESU has always exhibited maturity, selflessness, and patriotism even in the face of extreme provocations and the government's long delay in meeting these demands of workers under JOHESU and we think that our maturity and patriotism have been taken for granted.
“This 15-day ultimatum is necessitated by the non-response of the Federal Government to the plight of our members, despite our benevolence memo added.”
The healthcare sector's frustration stems from long-standing issues, including brain drain, with over 57,000 nurses migrating abroad between 2017 and 2022. Resident doctors are also pushing for a one-for-one replacement policy to alleviate staffing shortages.
Will the FG meet the 15-day deadline, or will healthcare services grind to a halt?
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