Nigerian Health Workers Announce 7-Day Strike Over Unmet Demands

The Joint Health Sectors Union (JOHESU), in collaboration with the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA), has declared a nationwide seven-day warning strike.

This action, set to commence at midnight on October 25, 2024, comes in response to the federal government's failure to address critical issues raised by the unions.

Kabiru Minjibir, the National President of JOHESU, announced the strike following an expanded National Executive Council meeting in Abuja.

He emphasized the unions' frustration over the lack of progress despite repeated assurances from government ministries and agencies. "If at the end of the seven days warning strike, the federal government fails to meet our demands, JOHESU will have no other option than to embark on an indefinite strike action," Minjibir stated.

The unions had previously issued a 15-day ultimatum on October 10, 2024, urging the government to act on their demands or face a total shutdown of hospital operations nationwide.

Among their key demands are the immediate implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment, payment of 25% CONHESS Review arrears, and nine months' salary for workers of Regulatory Agencies.

Additional grievances include the need for restored funding to the Environmental Health Regulatory Council, reconstitution of Boards/Governing Councils of Federal Health Institutions, and an upward review of the retirement age for health workers.

The unions also call for tax waivers on healthcare workers’ allowances and the immediate payment of COVID-19 inducement hazard allowances to omitted health workers.