PRESS RELEASE: Nationwide Strike Begins Today In Health Sector

PRESS RELEASE

You will recall that on the 1^st of August 2013, a press release containing 21 days ultimatum to government.

The ultimatum borders on ten point demand made to government and agreements reached on 10^th May, 2012 on five items and resolutions made as follows: The meeting also resolved that other items which have been agreed  upon required the action of the federal ministry of health should be addressed on or before 29^th May, 2012, to allow the Technical Working Group commence its sitting. The other items are:

i.                   Implementation of Presidential Committee Report on Harmony in the Health Sector;

ii.                 Promotion of health professionals from CONHESS 14 to 15.

iii.              Request for implementation of 2008 job evaluation committee report

iv.              Review of the Retirement Age from 60 to 65 years.

v.                 Reconstitution of Boards of Federal Teaching and Specialist Hospitals with equitable representation of union and professional associations.

Even though, the Hon. Minister of Health wrote circulars Ref. SMH 5875.26/T2/2b of 20^th June, 2012 and C5516/VOL.II/T2/87 of 26^th March, 2013, on promotion of Health Professionals from CONHESS 14 to 15 to all Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors to promote qualified professionals, they have refused bluntly to implement the circular. The implication is that up to date, none of the issues agreed upon has been implemented.

The Honourable Minister of Labour referred the issues that the parties could not aggreed upon to the National Industrial Court (NIC) in June, 2012.

The issues were:

a.     Non-Skipping of Salary CONHESS 10

b.     National Health Bill

c.      Consultancy and Specialist Allowances

d.     Call/Shift duty and other professional allowances.

After thirteen (13) months of adjudication, the National Industrial Court in a landmark judgement delivered on Monday 22^nd July, 2013, on the

 dispute between  JOHESU and the Federal Ministry of Health earlier refereed to it by Hon. Minister of Labour and Productivity ruled among other things:

1.     That skipping of CONHESS 10 is legal and the purported circular by the Ministry of Health and Head of Service of the Federation stopping it is illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever. The implication of the above position of the court is that members would continue to enjoy skipping of CONHESS 10.

2.     That those earlier appointed as Consultants would continue to enjoy the status with all the benefits and the withdrawal of their letter of appointment is irregular, null and void.

3.     That issue of shift duty, administrative non clinical and Call Duty Allowances should remain as they are but that negotiation should commence towards an agreement on upward review of the allowances.

Also, it was held by the Court (NIC) that issues already agreed upon are accrued rights and should be implemented without delay in line with collective bargaining agreement.

At a meeting called by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity on Monday the 19^th of August, 2013. The Minister of health or his representative refused to attend the meeting.

Consequently upon the expiration of the ultimatum given, members of unions in JOHESU have been directed to proceed on an indefinite strike action with effect from 12 midnight of 21^st August, 2013, at the Federal Tertiary Health Institutions, while our members at the states and local governments health facilities shall join as from 12 midnight of 28 August, 2013.

While we sincerely apologise the inconveniences this action may cause Nigerian citizens, the Minister of Health Professor Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu should be held responsible.

Signed:

National President Medical &Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN)

Secretary-General Medical & Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria

National President National Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Association Institution

Com. Yusuf Badmus W.G.

Ag. General Secretary National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives