The recently signed Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) agreement with the Nigerian Federal Government is a significant development in the country`s healthcare sector. The agreement, which was signed after a prolonged negotiation process, covers a range of issues, including salary adjustments, hazard allowances, and retirement age.
One of the key highlights of the agreement is the adjustment of the CONHESS salary structure, which is used to determine the salaries of health workers in government-owned hospitals. The new agreement includes a 15% increase in the basic salary of health workers, which will be implemented over a period of three years. In addition, there will be a 10% increase in the consolidated salary of health workers, which will also be implemented over a three-year period.
Another important component of the agreement is the increase in hazard allowances for health workers. The new agreement stipulates that health workers at the COVID-19 isolation centres will receive an additional 50% of their consolidated basic salary as hazard allowance. This is in addition to the existing hazard allowance of 5% of their consolidated basic salary.
The retirement age for health workers was also a contentious issue during the negotiation process. The new agreement sets the retirement age for health workers at 65 years, in line with the retirement age for other public servants in Nigeria.
The signing of the JOHESU agreement has been widely celebrated by health workers across the country. It is expected to improve the working conditions of health workers, which have been a major concern for many years. The improved salaries and hazard allowances will go a long way in motivating health workers and reducing the rate of brain drain in the healthcare sector.
It is important to note that the implementation of the agreement will depend on the government`s ability to provide the necessary funds. This is particularly important given the current economic challenges facing the country. Nevertheless, the signing of the agreement is a step in the right direction and demonstrates the government`s commitment to improving the healthcare sector in Nigeria.
