By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Organised Labour Union, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement the report of the Technical Committee on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which was submitted in 2021.
The ultimatum was contained in a statement jointly signed by the TUC Secretary General, Nuhu Toro and Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah on Saturday in Abuja.
They described the continued delay as a deliberate act of injustice against health workers.
According to the statement, the report, chaired by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, addressed salary distortions in the health sector.
The statement read: “Health workers have waited long enough for over five years. The Ministry must act without further delay.
“Failure to implement the CONHESS report is a direct affront to organised labour and the hardworking health professionals who sustain the nation.”
They stated that the non-implementation shows bad faith and institutional disrespect for organised labour.
The unions recalled that similar adjustments for the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) were implemented without delay.
They said that the selective application of salary adjustments exposes the government’s insincerity and discrimination.
The unions highlighted repeated engagements and interventions that yielded no response from the Federal Ministry of Health.
They warned that failure to act within the 14-day period could trigger nationwide industrial action.
The statement added: “We have exercised restraint for years, but our patience has run out. The Ministry must act now.
“Should the government fail to implement the CONHESS report within the stipulated period, organised labour will mobilise all Nigerian workers for coordinated industrial action.”
They added that industrial action could include mass protests, picketing of health institutions, and withdrawal of services across the country.
The unions said health workers’ labour sustains the nation and cannot continue to be ignored.
They added that bureaucratic excuses and promises without action will no longer be tolerated.
The statement said: “TUC and NLC therefore place all affiliates, including state councils and the FCT, on red alert for mobilisation.”
They called on the government to avert avoidable industrial action by complying within the ultimatum period.
