BY JUMAI NWACHUKWU
THE Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Delta State Chapter, has announced the resumption of duties by its members following the suspension of its strike action, while setting April as the deadline for the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
The Chairman, JOHESU, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba Branch, Comrade Gibson Ukala, made this known while speaking with The Pointer and clarifying issues surrounding the resumption of work and the terms that led to the suspension of the industrial action.
According to him, the strike was officially suspended at exactly 12 midnight on Friday, the 6th, in line with the directive of the national leadership of the union. He explained that because the suspension took effect during the weekend, hospital activities appeared minimal, giving the impression that workers had not resumed.
“Weekends are not regular working days, and even during full hospital operations, movement is usually limited,” he said. “However, our members effectively resumed work on the 6th, as directed by the national body.”
He added that a Congress meeting was held on Monday to formally brief members and ensure proper communication of the communiqué and the terms of settlement reached with the Federal Government.
Speaking on the agreement reached with the Federal Government, Ukala the issue of salary structure, the JOHESU chairman disclosed that a timeline has been set from now until April for the adjustment of CONHESS. He stated that the federal government has also agreed to withdraw the “No Work, No Pay” directive issued against its members during the strike, adding that the January 2026 salaries of all JOHESU members would be paid immediately and that no member would be victimised, sanctioned or intimidated for participating in the industrial action.
“If the Federal Government fails to meet the conditions outlined in the settlement, there will be no further arguments or negotiations,” he said. “A nationwide strike by the NLC and TUC will be immediately invoked.”
Comrade Ukala reaffirmed the union’s commitment to protecting the welfare of health workers and called on the Federal Government to act in good faith to ensure industrial harmony in the health sector.
It could be recalled that the strike which entered its 84th day on Friday, has paralysed activities in government-owned hospitals across the country, leaving patients stranded and forcing many to seek essential medical services outside public health facilities.
