JOHESU ends 15-day ultimatum to FG

*May call for nationwide strike

Idu Jude, Abuja

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) said it has exhausted the 15 days ultimatum given to the Federal government to look into the plights of its member union and will withdraw its services across federal and state hospitals. The leadership of JOHESU said it is currently engaging its wider unions to be fully prepared for any eventuality through a meeting which will proceed the full scale strike. JOHESU Chairman, Biobelemoye Josiah in a statement said the meeting has become eminent following government’s flagrant disregard for court order. The Chairman, argued that the arbitration panel unit of the National Industrial Court had asked both government and the workers to maintain status quo ante, but government has gone ahead to violate the order by activating ‘no work no pay policy’. Biobelemoye said the workers have not undertaken any protest or stayed out of work, but government has gone ahead to victimise workers involved in protests and strike. He said the Union is seeking the full implementation of the consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which is to create equity in the sector among healthcare professionals He also indicated that the Union had written to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige 15 days ago notifying government of the violation of court order by the Ministry of Health and its intention to down tools.