As JOHESU Strike continues, government now wants dialogue
At the end of a series of meetings held on Sunday by the Nigerian government and the leadership of the Joint Health Sectors Union (JOHESU) which represents the Medical and Health Workers Unions of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIA), Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutes (NASU), the Nigerian government has set up yet another committee that would listen to the demands of the striking health workers in the country.
JOHESU directed its members to begin an indefinite strike on Tuesday April 17, 2018 following the refusal of the Nigerian government to implement the agreement it reached with the union last year.
Initially, the health ministry attempted to implement a No Work, No Pay policy and directed heads of FG-owned health institutions to open attendance registers in all departments. Then the labour ministry told newsmen it had already met most of the demands of the striking health workers.
But the inability of these approaches to deter the striking health workers to blink compelled the government to invite the union to the negotiating table.
On Sunday, the federal health ministry said the committee that was set up would specifically look into the financial and technical aspects of their demands.
It said: “In a bid to restore normalcy to the health sector and ameliorate the sufferings of patients, high level Federal Government Officials met on Sunday, April 22, 2018, to find ways of ending the ongoing strike by Joint Health Sector Unions and finding lasting solutions to the issues.
“A committee was mandated to review the technical and financial related aspects involved in the demands of JOHESU. The high level Federal Government team will continue its meeting on Monday and Tuesday.