FG vows to invoke ‘No Work no Pay’ rule against striking health workers

The Federal Government had asked the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to end its strike and resume work or it will invoke ‘no work no pay rule’ against them.

JOHESU had after the expiration of its 30-day strike notice on mid-night of Tuesday, commenced a nationwide strike that has crippled health care delivery in parts of the country.

The health workers are aggrieved that government failed to honour agreement it entered over its demands that border on the members salary structure among others.

But in a statement Wednesday by its Director of Press, Samuel Olowookere, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment said “If this group of health workers persists on continuing this strike, government will be forced to invoke the provisions of the relevant labour laws, especially Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act.”

Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act which government is making reference to states that where any worker takes part in a strike, he shall not be entitled to any wages or other remuneration for the period of the strike, and any such period shall not count for the purpose of reckoning the period of continuous employment and all rights dependent on continuity of employment shall be prejudicially affected accordingly.

Government in the statement said that it was worrisome that many of the Health Workers Unions operating under the joint group, JOHESU, could embarked on another round of nationwide strike despite its commitment to the implementation of the agreement reached with it since their last strike of September 20, 2017.

READ ALSO: Crisis in federal hospitals as nurses, pharmacists, other health workers embark on strike

The Federal Government went further to argue that it has met all the demands of the unions on issues such as the payment of promotion arrears and salary shortfalls, among others as per the agreement reached on September 30, 2017.

“The Federal Government therefore wishes to appeal to JOHESU to reconsider its position in view of the immeasurable consequences of its action on sick patients in hospitals across the nation,” the statement read in part.

 

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