The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress have given the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies a 14-day deadline to implement the long-awaited adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure. The unions warned that failure to act within the period will lead to a nationwide industrial action by health workers and other labour groups.
The ultimatum followed years of complaints over the non-implementation of a technical committee report on the salary structure, which was submitted in 2021. According to the labour centres, the continued delay has placed health workers under severe financial strain and has created unfair treatment within the health sector.
The unions said the Federal Government adjusted the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure years ago but has refused to do the same for other health workers under the CONHESS system. They described this situation as unfair and harmful to industrial peace, adding that repeated discussions with the Ministry of Health have produced no results.
Labour leaders said their patience had run out after years of waiting and assurances that were never fulfilled. They announced that the ultimatum takes effect immediately and demanded full implementation of the 2021 committee report within the given time.
The TUC and NLC warned that if the government fails to meet the demand, workers across the country will be mobilised for coordinated action. This would include protests, picketing of health facilities and government offices, and withdrawal of services nationwide.
They added that all labour affiliates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have been placed on alert and instructed to prepare for possible action. The unions urged the Federal Government to act quickly to prevent disruption to health services and wider economic activities.
As of now, the Ministry of Health has not issued an official response, while tension continues to rise among health workers awaiting a resolution.