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The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) may soon suspend it's ongoing strike by health workers which has crippled services at public hospitals across Nigeria.
The decision may not be unconnected with the intervention of the National Industrial Court (NIC), which offered to take over the mediation process between the striking workers and government.
A JOHESU top official said that though they are in the court in Abuja and the judge made some pronouncements but we are still consulting and considering the next move and when to suspend. You will get the final details soon,” he said.
About two weeks ago, the court ordered the workers to return to work within 24 hours. This followed an ex-parte motion filed by a non-governmental organisation.
But the union which said it remained ‘unmoved’ and was yet to be served with the order by Justice Babatunde Adejumo of the court, later confirmed receiving the order.
JOHESU, a body of all other health workers except doctors, called the strike 43 days ago.
The impasse has caused many deaths as Patients are passing through pains because both federal, state and local government health institutions have been shut.
There were meetings between the government and the union with the Ministers of Health and Labor, Isaac Adewole and Chris Ngige leading the negotiations.
No common ground has been reached in these meetings, however, and members of JOHESU are accusing both officials of bias.
They even called for the removal of Mr Adewole as health minister, describing him as major barrier to the strike resolution.
In Wednesday’s ruling, the court mandated its mediation centre to take over the negotiation and reconciliation processes within the next 24 hours in the interest of the public.
Responding, health ministry’s spokesperson, Boade Akinola, said
“We have not seen the ruling, when we do so, we will be able to respond but rest assured that the Ministry of Health always obey court orders,”
“We have not seen the ruling, when we do so, we will be able to respond but rest assured that the Ministry of Health always obey court orders,”
Meanwhile, JOHESU has suspended its industrial action in Lagos state.
State Chairman Olatunji Tajudeen,
said the suspension was due to the “achievements and commitments” made by the state governor Akinwunmi Ambode to the plight of the health workers.
said the suspension was due to the “achievements and commitments” made by the state governor Akinwunmi Ambode to the plight of the health workers.
