HWNUPDATE: Striking health workers under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) have agreed to suspend the strike action they embarked on. The decision was reached after a conciliatory meeting initiated by the Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, with the union. The minister, during the meeting held in Abuja, yesterday, called on JOHESU to suspend the strike in order to safeguard the health of Nigerians. While noting that the strike has commenced in federal health institutions and agencies with states and local governments slated to join the strike a week later, the meeting agreed to follow due process in addressing the issues in dispute and noted that although there was no written agreement between the Federal Government and JOHESU on the fundamental issue of adjustment of salaries for JOHESU, as it was done for Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the same sector on January 1, 2014. The right to have the demand considered was however conceded to members of JOHESU. Thereafter, on the basis of acceptance by both parties, an agreement would be entered into and an implementation process would be specified. In considering the decisions, the parties noted that time was of the essence while concluding that other issues in dispute would be considered in subsequent meetings as JOHESU promised to suspend the action after the meeting of its National Executive Council.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 17:00:22 +0000