The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Health Care Professional Association have begun an indefinite strike. This development comes as a follow-up to a 15-day ultimatum issued by JOHESU’s leadership on May 9, 2023, to the Federal Government over alleged inconsistencies in the ongoing negotiations to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers under their platforms. The ultimatum ended on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, without the government meeting the demands.
Dr. Obinna Ogbonna, the National Vice President of JOHESU, disclosed the decision to begin the indefinite strike during a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday. The umbrellas body, JOHESU is responsible for overseeing the affairs of health workers’ unions and associations, including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, and Senior Staff Association of Universities’ Teaching Hospitals Research Institutes and Associated Institutions.
Ogbonna stated, “It becomes imperative to inform you that since the Federal Government is yet to meet these demands, our members have been directed by the JOHESU National Executive Council to proceed on an indefinite strike action upon expiration of the ultimatum by midnight of May 25, 2023.”
The indefinite strike will have an adverse impact on the health sector’s efficiency in Nigeria, leading to an increase in the workload of those employees who refuse to go on strike. The JOHESU leadership has called on the government to meet their demands to prevent the indefinite strike from lingering.
