The Federal Government on Wednesday appealed to health workers under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to return to work.
The appeal was made by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, in Abuja in a statement by Director of Press in the ministry, Mr. Samuel Olowookere.
Said the minister: “At a period the government is faithfully managing lean resources to ensure industrial harmony in all sectors, a measure of patriotism was expected of all labour unions to enable government have an equable social and very good labour milieu in which workers could be assured of security of employment.
“It is on record that government has met almost all the demands of these unions on issues such as the payment of promotion arrears, salary shortfalls among others as per the agreement reached on September 30, 2017.
“The Federal Government therefore wishes to appeal to JOHESU to reconsider its position in view of the immeasurable consequences of its action on sick patients in hospitals across the nation.”
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While emphasising the commitment of the government to ensuring the implementation of the agreement reached, the minister however warned that it might be forced to take a drastic action if the striking workers refused to sheathe their sword.
“If this group of health workers persist on continuing this strike, Government will be forced to invoke the provisions of the relevant labour laws, especially Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, Cap.T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 as well as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) principles concerning employers rights over strikes in essential services sector,” he said.
It would be recalled that the health workers embarked on strike on Wednesday demanding the implementation of the agreement reached with the government in September 2017.
