The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige is meeting with the executive of the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, in a bid to halt the workers planned to strike fixed for midnight of September 17.
JOHESU had issued a 15-day strike notice to the federal government over non implementation of agreements reached.
Chris Ngige, at the opening of Tuesday’s. Meeting, Expressed dissatisfaction over the ultimatum, insisting that the issues highlighted in the ultimatum are issues under discussion.
He also debunks claims that the federal government is owing to any health worker basic salaries, insists only allowances are owed.
Ngige Says health workers including doctors who are owed salaries are those who were not legally employed.
He says instead of trying to arm-twist the federal government to regularize illegalities and pay them, they should be punished.
Also Read: JOHESU, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital chapter embarks on 3 days warning strike
In his opening remarks, JOHESU National Chairman, Biobelemoye Josiah says the workers expect the meeting will be result oriented, because many of the issues are what have been discussed in past, which have lingered since 2014.
JOHESU National Chairman also points out a missing point in the agenda, which is the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Sector Salary Scale, CONHESS.
He insisted that the union does not always Want to embark on strike but is forced to do so, considering the fact that since September 13, 2020, when it suspended the strike and reached an agreement, not one of the items has been addressed.
(Editor:Abaje Usekwe)
