By CHIOMA UMEHA

Following their suspension of the strike action, the Joint Health Sectors Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) on Saturday gave the Federal Government

a fresh 15-day ultimatum to expedite action and meet their demands.

The unions had on September 2, issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government threatening to embark on a strike billed to have commenced with effect from 12am Saturday, September 18, 2021, over unmet demands.

However, rising from the emergency meeting of the expanded National Executive Council (NEC) of the JOHESU and AHPA on Friday, the unions urged the Federal Government to accelerate the process and fulfill their demands within a fresh 15 days ultimatum.

Their demands were contained in a communique signed by Mathew Ajorutu, acting National General Secretary, JOHESU, and was issued at the end of the meeting of the expanded NEC.

The expanded NEC comprised the Presidents and General Secretaries of affiliate unions and professional associations, NEC members of affiliate unions and JOHESU Chairmen and Secretaries at the State and Branch levels.

The NEC-in-Session said it critically appraised the reports of JOHESU negotiation and conciliation meetings with the Federal Government since the declaration of the trade dispute through the 15-day strike notice issued on September 2.

NEC also noted the appeal from the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on the need to show understanding with his administration and his pledge to pay any debt owed health workers.

The communique partly reads:

“The Federal Ministry of Health should ensure speedy circularisation of all establishment and welfare matters as agreed during negotiation meetings.

“The Federal Government should ensure that the new data for the computation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for JOHESU members be completed and submitted to the “High-Level Body” (HLB) of the FG not later than Wednesday, 22nd September 2021 as agreed.

“NEC-in-Session urges the Federal Government to ensure that the “High-Level Body” (HLB) complete and submit the computation of the adjusted CONHESS for inclusion in the 2022 budget within the 30th September 2021 submission window.

“NEC-in-Session urges the Federal Government to reciprocate the patriotic humanitarian gesture of JOHESU in the interest of the larger Nigerian masses to expeditiously resolve all the demands within the fifteen days window,” it added.

It further said it received and examined reports of congresses held at various health facilities across the country on the mobilisation for the strike action.

“NEC-in-Session appreciates all members for their commitment and understanding towards the struggle for better working conditions, improved healthcare services and social justice for all,” the communique concludes. (Saturday Independent)

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