Health workers suspend strike

HEALTH workers, under the auspices of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), have suspended the strike they embarked upon since November last year

The strike commenced on November 12, 2014 to compel the government to implement judgment delivered by the National Industrial Court in their favour.

The suspension followed a meeting called by President Goodluck Jonathan with leaders of the union, on Sunday.

At a briefing held late on Monday with the Minister of State and Supervising Minister of Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, JOHESU said the president had pledged to approve their demands.

Chairperson of JOHESU, Ayuba Wabba, said the union leaders met after their meeting with the president and resolved to call off the strike.

“Yesterday, (Sunday) precisely, by 2.00 p.m., Mr President personally intervened and called a meeting of the Joint Health Sector Unions, where all the issues were reviewed and commitment made firmly by him to the effect that he, being the last authority, we have no doubt that those commitments will be met.

“And, therefore, he also made a very passionate plea that having intervened at that level, he pleaded with the Joint Health Sector Unions to suspend the action and allow him a period to consider all the issues and dispense with them.

“As a group that is very responsible, we had a meeting this morning to review the issues and the pleas of Mr President and we have come to the conclusion that having reaching that level, and having shown a lot of commitment and the demonstration of his goodwill, we then have no other option but to suspend the strike and direct our members to resume work immediately.

“He also gave commitment that as a result of this action, no member of the Joint Health Sector Unions would be victimised in any form arising from this legitimate action,” Wabba added.

Dr Alhassan, in his response, urged members of the union to return to work and maintain harmonious working relationship with other employees.