Abuja: The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has voiced strong opposition to the newly introduced National Industrial Relations Policy, claiming it infringes upon the fundamental rights of workers across the healthcare sector.
In a recent statement, JOHESU highlighted concerns that the policy, rather than fostering fair labour practices, could lead to increased disenfranchisement and vulnerability among healthcare workers.
The union made its position known in a statement jointly signed by Mr Ado Minjibir and Mr Martins Egbanubi, JOHESU National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The union was reacting to a statement credited to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on July 31 on the new National Industrial Relations Policy in Nigeria.
The union posited that the government’s position on the policy negates the fundamental right of workers to freedom of association and to embark on a lawful strike..
According to the union, the rights are guaranteed under the International Labour Organisation Convention 87, adopted in 1948, of which Nigeria is a signatory and has since been domesticated.
“JOHESU is particularly worried that the policy is targeted at workers and their trade union organisations.
“It is rather unfortunate that the ruling class has serially blackmailed the organised labour as being responsible for industrial actions,” the union said.
JOHESU noted that while it is not averse to having a robust National Industrial Relations Policy, it must, however, be subjected to further tripartite partners’ scrutiny and inputs.
The union, therefore, urged the government to activate and strengthen the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) for effective and sustainable tripartite engagements.
