The Adamawa State Chapter of the Joint Health Sector Unions in a letter dated 7th May 2018 has written to the Head of Civil Service, Office of the Head of Service, State Secretariat, Yola tittled  "COMMENCEMENT OF STATEWIDE INDEFINITE INDUSTRAIL ACTION BY THE ADAMAWA STATE CHAPTER OF JOHESU"

The letter reads:

You would recall that JOHESU Adamawa State Chapter was on strike before May, 2015, but was suspended on the 1/6/2015 based on an appeal made to the leadership by His Excellency Governor Mohammad Umaru Jibrilla Bindow to allow him time to study the demands.

 

You will also recall that JOHESU wrote His Excellency on the 22/9/2015 as a reminder in addition to series of follow-ups but to no avail, as the State Government did not engage JOHESU in meaningful negotiation. Similarly in our letter dated 11/7/2017, when you'were appointed as the Head of Civil Service, we reminded you of our outstanding issues with the State Government which we pleaded for your support in seeing to it that the State Government look into.

 

Despite the peaceful and patient manner JOHESU pursued the legitimate demands of her members, it is disheartening to note that after 35 months or so, of the suspension of our last strike action, the State Government has not done anything tangible over the following pending demands of JOHESU:-

 

i) Non-adjustment of CONHESS salary scale across board in-line with the Ness National Minimum Wage to Health Workers as approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages CornMision in August, 2011,. I I Non — extension of 20% furniture allowance to health workers on CONHESS 7 and above as per agreement reached in 2011 between the State Government and the Organized Labour,

 

(ii) Non implementation of skipping of CONHESS 10 despite circular to that effect by the State Government in January, 2017.

 

(iii) Non- computation of tax on basic salary even as the salary has been deconsolidated leading to high taxation of Health Workers in the State,

 

(iv) Non- Settlement of unpaid salary arrears of six months of some Health Workers particularly those at the local government and Primary Health Care Development Agency,

 

(v) Addressing the inadequate health personnel through employment of health personnel.

 

(vi) Addressing the inadequate basic working equipment in our health facilities and veterinary clinics. As a responsible and matured body, JOHESU gave 21 days' notice which took effect from the 12/4/2018 to enable the State Government do the needful by engaging JOHESU in negotiation.

 

However on the 12/4/2018 JOHESU received an invitation from the office of the Permanent Secretary Administration Department for dialogue in respect of JOHESU demands on the 24/4/2018.

 

Two meetings were held but all ended in deadlock and has to be adjourned indefinitely by Government. consequently upon this therefore, JOHESU Adamawa State Chapter has no other choice than to proceed on an indefinite statewide strike action, immediately by.the midnight of Wednesday, 9th May 2018 when the 21 days' notice is expected to expire.

 

By this, all JOHESU Unions in the state are hereby directed to direct all her members in all the State and Local Government health institutions to commence the indefinite strike action by midnight of Wednesday, 2018 unfailingly if the State Government fails to act.

 

We call on all JOHESU members in the state and Local Government to be calm and be law abiding and never to be intimidated. We also plead with the people of the state to bear with us as we are left with no option than to take our destiny in our hands We also want to place on record that this strike action will run concurrently with the ongoing National strike by JOHESU as directed, but the state chapter will not call off her strike even if the National strike is suspended until the demands of the state chapter are met.

 

Thank You

 

Signed
Comrade Peter U. Malle
Chairman JOHESU

 

Comrade Wajilda I. Joseph
Secretary JOHESU

 

Copy to:
The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Health, Yola
The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry for Livestock Production, Yola
The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Environment, Yola