Medical and health workers under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) would protest against unpaid April and May salaries on Monday next week.

The National President of JOHESU, Biobelemoye Josiah said in Abuja yesterday that the members of the unions observed a national prayer at the National mosque yesterday and would also observe a similar national prayer in various churches tomorrow for a divine intervention over industrial challenges confronting the health sector.

JOHESU maintained that the decision to embark on a nationwide protests and rallies followed the end of extensive nationwide mobilisation after the expiration of its 15 days strike notice to government.

He added: “JOHESU in collaboration with NLC/TUC will stage a national rally in Abuja to draw attention to the unending tyranny of Federal Ministry of Health and State Ministries of Health against health workers in all health facilities across the country on Monday, February 4, 2019.

“All branch executives representatives in federal health institutions and state chairmen/secretaries of all member unions of JOHESU are specifically invited to attend a meeting slated to commence at 8am prompt on Monday, February 4, 2019.”

Industrial disagreements in dispute include: unjustified withholding of the salaries of JOHESU members for the months of April and May 2018, upward adjustment of CONHESS salary structure, headship of hospital departments, implementation of Consultancy Cadre to their members and punitive actions against their members in Federal Medical Centre Owerri and JUTH.

JOHESU is also seeking full implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which is meant to create equity in the sector among healthcare professionals.

JOHESU flayed government penchant for disobeying court orders. JOHESU argued that the arbitration panel unit of the National Industrial Court had asked both government and the workers to maintain status quo ante, but government has gone ahead to violate the court by activating ‘no work no pay policy’.

Biobelemoye claimed that government victimized workers involved in protests and strike action by JOHESU even when the workers did not undertake any protest or stayed away from work without due process.

Indeed, JOHESU said it informed the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige to notify him of government’s violation of court order and its intention to down tools as a mark of protest.

JOHESU urged members to observe the prayer sessions in all churches across the country.

It hinted that the protests and rallies would also continue on Tuesday, saying, “Zonal and state rallies involving the generality of JOHESU members would continue on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. This must be held in conjunction with all stakeholders as appropriate.”

JOHESU urged members to await further directive, which shall be communicated from the JOHESU headquarters forthwith.

•Sourced from The Guardian report

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