The health union is demanding the non-payment of the Covid-19 Hazard Allowance, the suspension of plans for the regulatory agency, and a tax waiver on healthcare workers’ allowances.

The Nigerian government has been issued a 15-day ultimatum by the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) to resolve the outstanding issues, or else there will be more industrial action.

Although President Bola Tinubu pledged to step in last June, the government has not yet complied with their requests.

The health union is demanding the non-payment of the Covid-19 Hazard Allowance, the suspension of plans for the regulatory agency, and a tax waiver on healthcare workers’ allowances.

After President Tinubu promised to intervene, JOHESU called off their strike that had crippled healthcare services in public hospitals from May 19 to June 6, 2023.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), a union for university lecturers, has also given the government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve its unresolved issues.

The national chairman and secretary of JOHESU jointly issued a statement pointing out that the Federal Government has not responded to their demands since June and threatening to go on strike in the event that their demands are not met.

Additionally, the union is demanding that plans to create an organisation that would oversee operations in national health facilities be immediately shelved.