Health workers threaten nationwide strike Sept 13

Health Workers on Monday threatened to commence a
warning strike on September 13 if the Federal
Government failed to address their demands .
This is coming against the backdrop of the nationwide
strike by resident doctors . Addressing journalists in Abuja , the Joint Health Sector
Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals , said
that their commitment to resolve issues through
dialogue has been taken for granted .
Speaking on behalf of the unions, the National
Chairman of JOHESU , Bio Josiah , urged the Minister of
State for Labour and Employment , Festus Keyamo
( SAN ) , to take over the negotiations between them and
the FG from the substantive Minister Senator Chris
Ngige , whom he accused of compromise .
Among other demands , the union insisted on the
immediate payment of the shortfall in the COVID- 19
allowances of non – clinical staff in the federal health
institutions presently pegged at 10 per cent to the
agreed 50 per cent of basic salaries paid to all clinical
staff in the FHIs .
It also asked states and LGAs that have not
domesticated the COVID- 19 allowances for their clinical
and non – clinical health workers to abide by the
agreement without further delay to avoid the
breakdown of industrial harmony in their health
sector .
The union added , “ We demand unconditional payment
of all withheld salaries at Federal Medical Centre ,
Owerri , JUTH , LUTH and the complement of April and
May 2018 salaries .
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“ States and Local Governments are urged to
unconditionally pay all outstanding salaries . States are
urged to conclude minimum wage negotiations and
implementation .