UNICOF impressed with improved service conditions of NHIS staff

The Union of Industry, Commerce and Finance (UNICOF) has commended the commitment of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in improving the conditions of service of scheme staff across the country.

The UNICOF also lauded the NHIA for taking pragmatic steps to resolving staff differences and fostering a congenial working environment for healthy industrial relations between the Union and scheme staff.

The Deputy General Secretary of UNICOF, John Esiape disclosed that “there is satisfaction on both ends [Union and NHIA].” He said, “in terms of improvement I can tell you that we have a collective bargaining agreement and job evaluation has been completed.“

UNICOF has in the past been negotiating with the NHIA to improve conditions of service for the workers of the National Health Insurance Scheme across the country.

The workers threatened a sit down strike last year over discrepancies in salary agreements. In commending the NHIA for their commitment to smooth industrial relations, Mr. Esiape observed that “for an organization that is just about eight years, you might do an audit of various institutions and you will realize that some that are about 20 or 30 years, have not done this exercise.”

He described the gesture as a “highly commendable one that management [of the NHIA] has taken on board.”

Mr. Esiape made the remarks when the two sides signed a joint Communiqué in which the parties expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the negotiations.