Fed. Govt Urges Health Workers To End Strike

Fed Govt urges health workers to end strike

The Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, has accused the striking Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) of being impatient with the government.

The minister said the issues raised by the union were before the Appeal Court.

Prof Chukwu, who addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja, urged the striking workers to return to work in the interest of the masses.

A meeting has been scheduled for Monday involving him, his Labour counterpart, and the health workers as part of the efforts to resolve the lingering crisis.

Prof Chukwu, who was responding to a question on why the government has failed to implement the court ruling, said: “The minister is expected to act under an expert advice. Our lawyers strongly advise that this ruling does not matter. That the judgement is contradictory and they illustrated it to convince us that it is a bundle of confusion and contradiction. The lawyers after critically studying the judgement advised that we should appeal the ruling because if left unchallenged at the appeal court, it will cause problem and confusion for the government and the entire country in future. The Office of the Attorney-General also looked at the ruling and advised that we should appeal. What do you want the minister to do?

“We are, therefore, appealing to all stakeholders to be reasonable and patient.”

Prof Chukwu added: “I don’t see how it is my fault that they will go on strike while the matter is still in court. Usually for any judgement, there is a small window you have for appeal. For the court to have accepted and registered our appeal means that we complied within that period.