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The National Chairman,Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, Mr Ayuba Wabba, has said that the union was not part of alleged complicity to create confusion in the health sector.
According to him, government’s failure to respond to the union’s demands will further expand the scope of the strike.
``Any name calling or any strategy outside the legitimate process of addressing the issue can only compound the already chaotic situation in the health sectorUsually, government will make threats but strike is a legitimate process recognised by our laws for workers to express their grievances, therefore nobody can deny that right.
``We are also putting them on notice that if in the next two weeks those issues are not resolved then basically our states and local governments will necessarily join the action.This is in order for us to liberate ourselves and bring about an order of justice and equity in the system.’’
The chairman said the Federal Government’s negotiations with the union had yet to yield any meaningful outcome, adding that meeting between both parties on Nov. 6, was deadlocked.
Wabba said further that the union registered its displeasure in a letter dated Nov. 7 to the Federal Government over the entire negotiations.
He expressed the union’s unwillingness to enter into any fresh negotiations with government over the issues leading to the present industrial action.
``We have followed all necessary procedures in addressing the grievances of health professionals under the auspices of the Joint Health Sector Unions.The major issue in this dispute is government’s failure to implement agreements, promises and pronouncements of court of law till date.It is true that we have been meeting but at each of the meetings government will demand for an extension of time to be able to consult and come up with definitive implementation strategies.
``So, I think the statement credited to the Supervising Minister of Health is certainly far from the truth.We communicated officially to government on the Nov. 7 to the extent that we feel frustrated and we feel that government is just using delay tactics to deny our members their legitimate rights.’’
Wabba said the industrial action was taken as a last resort so as to fight for the legitimate rights of members.
He said it was unfortunate that government had failed to acknowledge the contributions of health professionals especially during Nigeria’s fight against Ebola when medical doctors were on strike.
The supervising minister accused the union of insensitivity, describing the strike action as ``unnecessary, unjustifiable and unexpected”.
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