Health Workers Suspend Strike

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has suspended the strike which began on the 19^th of August following an agreement reached between the unions, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Federal Ministry of Health and the Head of Service. Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting which lasted about 12 hours, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu announced that an understanding has been reached with the unions. He said: “We have reached an understanding after a lengthy deliberation, which started yesterday, and we resumed at 8 O’clock in the morning today (Tuesday). “We were able to reach an understanding, which has been signed, and based on that understanding the unions have agreed to suspend the strike, which was embarked upon.” President of JOHESU, Comrade Ayuba Wabba while announcing the suspension of the strike said an implementation committee headed by the head of civil service of the federation has been put in place with a mandate to iron the remaining grey areas within four weeks. Wabba said: “As enumerated by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, the Joint Health Sector Union as you are aware embarked on an industrial action based on some grievances. “Painstakingly, we have looked at these issues and through the process of collective bargaining, we have been able to come to conclusion. “We on this side of the divide are convinced that all the issues in dispute have been addressed. Arising from this agreement, the industrial action that we have embarked upon is hereby suspended. This is to give room to full implementation of the agreement that has been signed today.” The terms of reference of the committee include the non-skipping of  Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS) 10 in line with the judgment of the National Industrial Court, modalities for the payment of consultancy and specialist allowance and the review of retirement age for health workers from 60 to 65years. At the end of the meeting, a five-page Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Federal Government and representatives of the unions. Issues deliberated upon included the constitution of board of management of Teaching Hospitals and implementation of 2008 Job Evaluation Report. Others were promotion from CONHESS 14 to CONHESS 15 and constitution of a presidential committee to see to the implementation of the agreement.