Following the withdrawal of what they called an "offensive circular" by the Federal Government over their monetization arrears, health and medical workers suspended their on-going industrial action.
However, the suspension is for one week after which, if government fails to pay the arrears, the workers will resume the strike.
The withdrawn circular concerns CONTISS 10 and promotion of certain cadres of officers beyond their terminal grade levels issued by the Federal Ministry of Health.
The circular with reference No. SMH494/S.3/1/95 and entitled: "Re: Skipping of CONTISS 10 and Promotion of certain cadres of officers beyond their terminal Grade Levels" read in part: "Our circular Ref. No. SMH.494/S.3/1/93 dated June 8, 2009 on the above subject matter refers.
"In the light of ongoing discussions on the import of the circular to which government's attention has been drawn, government is taking a closer look at the issues involved in order to come up with a position on the matter. It is expected that a service-wide circular conveying the position of government on this matter will be issued at the end of the exercise. To this end, I am directed to inform you to stay action on the implementation of our circular under reference pending the conclusion of ongoing discussions."
The circular was signed by Dr. M. L. Yahuza on behalf of the Minister of Health, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin.
Announcing the suspension of the strike in Abuja, the National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Ayuba Wabba, said the withdrawal of the offensive circular and the beginning of the payment of monetization arrears to members of his union influenced the suspension, which, according to him was done with a caveat.
He said: "After the meeting of the Central Working Committee of our union, it was decided that the strike be suspended for two reasons. The first one is the withdrawal of the contentious CONTISS 10. The second issue is the beginning of the payment of our monetization arrears even if it is only 50 per cent that will be paid now while the balance will be paid next year. Now that the Federal Ministry of Health has agreed to withdraw the circular and the payment of monetization arrears has begun, we are suspending the strike to make room for the payment.
“The suspension is only for a week to see the level of government sincerity to the payment. We are giving only one week because this government can no longer be trusted. If within one week, we don't see anything tangible, then of course our members will resume the strike without any notice,” he added.
Wabba also explained that as against the earlier claim by the Minister of Labour, Adetokunbo Kayode, that the N40 billion provision made in the 2009 budget for the payment of monetization will be enough to offset the backlog, Wabba clarified that the N40 billion would only be enough to pay about 50 per cent of the backlog.
He further explained that only about N18 billion was saved from the recently concluded verification exercise carried out to determine the actual figure that would be needed to pay the monetization arrears.
"At a meeting we had with Senate Committee on Information and Media, it was agreed that 50 per cent of the monetization be paid this year because the N40 billion would not settle all the arrears with the promise that the remaining will be included in the 2010 budget. We confirmed from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) that about N18 billion was saved from the verification exercise that was carried out," he said.
The MHWUN boss cautioned that the onus was now on the 15 participating banks to speed up the process alleging that it does appear that the banks were deliberately slowing down the payment process for their selfish interest.
He stated: "There are about 500 parastatals in the country and with the current movement; it will take ages to complete the payment. We appeal to both the SGF and Accountant-General of the Federation to prevail on the participating banks to speed up the process. We no longer trust the banks as it appears that they are doing business with our money."