Imo Health Workers Set For Indefinite Strike …Accuse Government of Abandoning Agreement

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Imo Health Workers Set For Indefinite Strike

…Accuse Government of Abandoning Agreement

Health workers in Imo State have outlined a catalogue of grievances against the Administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma and concluded plans to embark on what they describe as the “mother of all strikes” in the State.

The planned Industrial action was contained in a letter signed by Leaders of the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, made available to newsmen in Owerri at the weekend.

“Your Excellency, you may kindly recall that in August 2023, your administration approved upward review and implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS, alongside other Public Service Structures in Imo State as part of Government’s commitment to improve welfare, motivation and productivity of Health Workers,” the letter stated.

Regrettably, the Leadership of JOHESU and NANNM, Imo State, said they have observed with deep concern that the approved CONHESS has not been faithfully implemented, instead, beginning from the September 2025 salary cycle, the approved salary structure was altered and effectively substituted under the supervision of the Hon. Commissioner for Health.

Leaders of the Health unions said the current salary structure reflected on the Imo State Salary Pay Portal indicates designations such as HWWS, CSS, and NAPSS, which are inconsistent with the approved CONHESS structure.

The development, they argued, has resulted in a significant and unjustifiable reduction in the earnings of Health Workers, thereby undermining the intent and spirit of the Governor’s directive and causing serious hardship to their members.

Following this development, JOHESU and its affiliate unions made several formal representations to the Governor, the Head of Service, and the Commissioner for Health requesting the immediate restoration and full implementation of the approved CONHESS structure. Unfortunately, the unions said, these efforts have not yielded any positive response.

It would be recalled that the Unions, in line with established Industrial relations procedures, issued a 21-day ultimatum from 21st January to 5th February, 2026. When these efforts equally failed to elicit any response from government, JOHESU and NANNM proceeded to observe a 3-day warning strike from 25th to 27th February, 2026.

According to the letter, the Unions’ plan for indefinite action scheduled for 18th March, 2026, was relaxed for 30 days due to meetings with the Commissioner for Health and the DG, DATA Center, where assurances were given to address the issues.

“Despite these lawful steps taken in good faith, and in strict compliance with principles of collective bargaining and dispute resolution, the Government of the State is yet to take concrete action to address the legitimate demands of health workers,” the unions lamented.

In view of the foregoing and having exhausted all avenues of amicable resolution, the leadership of JOHESU and NANNM in Imo State formally notified the Governor and the Government of Imo State of their decision to embark on indefinite strike action commencing 12 midnight on Wednesday, 22nd April, 2026, until their demands are satisfactorily addressed.

Their demands include: immediate and unconditional restoration of CONHESS for all Health Workers in Imo State without discrimination or selective implementation, including payment of Shift Duty Allowance, Call Duty Allowance, Clinical Duty Allowance, Health Professional Non-Clinical Duty Allowance, Teaching Allowance, Hazard Allowance, and Rural Posting Allowance to deserving members.

They also demand provisional and full implementation of the approved CONHESS salary structure; immediate payment of all outstanding CONHESS salary arrears from September 2025 to date; as well as harmonised and full implementation of financial effects of IMSUTH staff promotion. “The continued marginal placement of some staff while others from the same promotion year enjoy full benefits is totally unacceptable,” the letter read.

The unions further demanded immediate engagement with JOHESU leadership to address CONHESS implementation and other welfare issues affecting health workers in the state, including unpaid health workers since April 2020.

“Your Excellency, JOHESU and NANNM remain committed to constructive dialogue, industrial harmony, and protection of public health care services in the state. We therefore urge government to take urgent steps to address these issues to avert prolonged disruption of health care services across the state,” the unions stated, adding: “Please accept the assurances of our highest regard.”

Their letter was signed by Comrade Ihesnaulo, Secretary, NUAHP, Imo State; Comrade Singesi T. Daniel, Secretary, MAWUM, Imo State; and Comrade Essienabasi Emem, Secretary, NANNM, Imo State. It was copied to the Commissioners of Health, Livestock, Environment, Labour and Productivity; the Secretary to the State Government; the Head of Service; and the National Leadership of NANNM.