The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed full support for the indefinite strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
In a statement on Tuesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the industrial action followed the Federal Government’s repeated delays in implementing the latest Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with health unions on 29 October 2024.
The unions are demanding the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which has remained unpaid for several years, while the equivalent CONMESS for medical doctors has been in effect since 2014.
The NLC noted that despite previous agreements, including an MoU signed on 30 September 2017, the government has failed to honour the payment of CONHESS. A commitment by the previous administration to approve the payment within five weeks remains unfulfilled seven years later.
“The patience of Nigerian health workers has been stretched thin. The Federal Government must respect collective bargaining agreements or face intensified labour action,” the NLC warned, adding that it could mobilise all workers in solidarity with JOHESU if the issue is not promptly resolved.
