Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has suspended its nationwide strike, bringing to an end an industrial action that lasted for 84 days across federal health institutions in Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision was reached on Friday at the end of an expanded emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) held in Abuja.
The meeting was convened to assess the outcome of the conciliation talks between JOHESU and the federal government, which took place on Thursday at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
In a communique released after the meeting, the union explained that the strike was called off to create room for the implementation of agreements reached with the federal government.
According to the statement, the suspension is to allow for the implementation of the FG-JOHESU Terms of Settlements.
The strike, which began in November, severely disrupted healthcare services in many public hospitals nationwide, as JOHESU members withdrew their services over unresolved welfare issues.
The issues included demands for improved salary structures, payment of outstanding allowances, adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, and better working conditions for health workers.
During the conciliation meeting, government representatives reportedly committed to addressing key concerns raised by the union, including timelines for the review of salary structures, settlement of arrears, and implementation of earlier agreements.
The intervention of the Ministry of Labour was aimed at restoring industrial harmony in the health sector and preventing further disruption of medical services.
With the suspension of the strike, public hospitals are expected to resume full operations, bringing relief to patients who have faced delays and limited access to healthcare services during the industrial action.
JOHESU, however, warned that it would continue to monitor the implementation of the agreed terms and would take further action if the commitments are not honoured.
