UCH JOHESU Suspends Strike Amid MoU with Federal Government

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has officially suspended the strike that commenced on October 25. This decision follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between JOHESU's national leadership and the Federal Government.

The strike was initially prompted by the union's dissatisfaction with various welfare issues, including the need for an adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, akin to the adjustments made to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure on January 2, 2014. Other critical demands included the implementation of a consultant cadre for pharmacists in federal health institutions, an upward review of the retirement age from 60 to 65 years for health workers and 70 years for consultants, as well as the payment of outstanding salaries owed to JOHESU members in professional regulatory councils.

Mr. Oladayo Olabampe, Chairman of JOHESU UCH, confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria that the strike suspension was mandated by the national body of the union. "The Federal Government has committed to addressing our demands within a maximum of six weeks from October 31," he stated.

Olabampe emphasized the importance of the MoU, which led to the decision to resume work on Friday morning. He added that if the Federal Government fails to meet the demands within the stipulated timeframe, JOHESU members will consider embarking on an indefinite strike.