The Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, Imo State council have issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government with effect from midnight, Friday, September, 17th, 2021 to address its demands or contend with health workers strike.
JOHESU and its sister unions, the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations {AřA) made up of five Registered Trade Unions in the health sector issued the warning in Owerri.
Uche Okafor, the chairman of JOHESU, said the Imo State council of the union will join the strike as directed by its national leaders the same day if their demands are not met.
He said the health workers strike was informed by non-payment of hazard allowance and withholding of the salaries of their members among others.
He said, ”JOHESU has always exhibited maturity, selflessness and patriotism even in the face of extreme provocations and governments nonchalant attitude to the welfare of our members and we think that our maturity and patriotism have been taken for granted.
“This fifteen (15) day ultimatum is necessitated by the nonchalant bias and lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government to the plight of our members, in spite of our benevolence and long notice given on these issues.
“We note with sadness that our long-suffering is not appreciated because the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMoL&E) continues to give the impression that our members do not have the capacity to endure hunger as they are vulnerable and poor, a perception that is untrue and will be put fo test in the weeks ahead of government does not heed our call.”
