By Chris Chikelue
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to urgently resolve outstanding salary and welfare issues affecting health workers, warning that prolonged delays could trigger another round of industrial action in the health sector.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the call in a letter dated August 6 and addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment. The letter was made available to journalists on Tuesday, August 18, in Abuja.
Ajaero expressed concern over the delayed adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and the unresolved demands of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), despite several Memoranda of Understanding, terms of agreement and Collective Bargaining Agreements reached with the Federal Government.
He called on the Minister of Labour and Employment to facilitate the immediate resumption of collective bargaining between the government and JOHESU.
The NLC president also urged the Presidential Committee on Salaries to intervene and ensure that outstanding issues, particularly those concerning health workers’ salary structure, are resolved without further delay.
Ajaero raised concerns over alleged discriminatory practices and the effect of prolonged labour disputes on health workers and Nigerians who rely on public healthcare services.
He warned that a breakdown in negotiations could further strain the country’s already challenged health sector, stressing that the NLC’s intervention was aimed at finding a lasting solution rather than issuing a threat.
However, he assured that the Congress would support JOHESU if the union was compelled to embark on further industrial action.
The NLC therefore called on the Federal Government to honour existing agreements with health workers, address outstanding concerns and take urgent steps to prevent another disruption of healthcare services.
Chris Chikelue is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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