Health Workers Calls Off 3-Months Old Strike

                               
The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) on Monday called off its nationwide three-month strike in national interest.
The Chairman of the union, Mr Ayuba Wabba, said that the action followed President Goodluck Jonathan’s personal intervention.
He, therefore, directed members to resume work immediately.
``The strike has been on for the past three months, we had series of meetings driven by the Ministry of Labour where we discussed that a three-person committee headed by the Minister of Health, to address the demands.
``We had a meeting yesterday with the President, views were expressed and commitment was made to the effect.
``We have no doubt that the commitment will be made and as people that are responsible, we had a meeting and concluded having reached that level and demonstration of his goodwill we have no option but to suspend the strike,’’ he said.
Wabba said that the president assured the union members that no member would be victimised in any form arising from the legitimate strike.
He said the president had promised to resolve issues that led to the strike.

Wabba said the demands included implementation of Presidential Committee Report on harmony in the health sector; promotion of health professionals from CONHESS 14 to 15 and request for implementation of 2008 Job Evaluation Committee Report.
According to him, others were the review of the retirement age from 60 to 65 years and reconstitution of boards of federal teaching and specialist hospitals with equitable representation of union and professional associations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JOHESU comprised the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria; National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, and Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals.

Others are Research Institutes and Associated Institutions; Nigeria Union of Pharmacists, Medical Technologists and Professions Allied to Medicine, and Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions.