CDWR BACKS STRIKING LAGOS HEALTH WORKERS WARNING STRIKE
CALLS ON LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT TO MEET HEALTH WORKERS DEMANDS
The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) backs the striking Lagos health workers in their struggle and demand for the implementation of the 25% adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS). We condemn the refusal of the Lagos State Government to implement the 25% CONHESS adjustments. The Lagos State Government must take the welfare and working conditions of workers and healthcare of the working masses seriously.
The unions participating in this struggle are Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwifes (NANNM), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU). Members of these unions include nurses, pharmacists, midwives, medical laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, dieticians, radiographers and optometrists.
Following the failure of the state government to meet their legitimate demands, the health workers embarked on a 3-day warning strike on Wednesday December 11. The strike which affects all Lagos State health facilities including general hospitals and Lagos State University Teaching Hospitals (LASUTH) is scheduled to end on Friday December 13.
We commend the affected unions for prosecuting the struggle jointly and for also involving the rank and file members through a Congress. We urge the leadership to ensure a democratic congress discussion and resolution before a major decision on the struggle is arrived at.
The CDWR calls on the Lagos State government to immediately meet the demands of the striking Lagos State health workers now. This is to avert a total shutdown of the state health facilities, something which may be the last resort of the workers. We also call on the leaderships of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to give solidarity support to the struggle of health workers and prevail on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to accede to their demands
Rufus Olusesan
National Chairperson
Comrade Chinedu Bosah
National Publicity Secretary
CDWR email: [email protected]