The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has issued a warning that it may embark on a new industrial action if the Federal Government continues to delay the implementation of the long-awaited adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure.
The National Chairman of JOHESU, who also serves as President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Kabiru Minjibir, disclosed this during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference taking place in Geneva, Switzerland.
Minjibir stated that the unresolved salary adjustment has remained a long-standing issue for health workers, stretching over a period of more than ten years despite repeated engagements with government authorities.
He explained that the dispute originates from provisions contained in the 2016 introduction of salary structures for medical doctors and other categories of health professionals.
“When the two salary structures were released in 2016, there was a clause that once one salary structure is reviewed upward, it automatically attracts a review of the other one,” he said.
According to him, while the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors has undergone three upward reviews, the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which covers other health workers, has not been adjusted accordingly.
“Unfortunately, three reviews were done to CONMESS, which is for medical doctors, while other health workers were neglected.
“This has been the source of agitation over the last 10 years, and the issue remains unresolved up to this moment,” he said.
Minjibir recalled that JOHESU previously embarked on an 84-day strike last year to press home its demands, after which negotiations were reopened with the Federal Government.
He noted that following the strike, a meeting was convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, involving relevant government agencies, including the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
According to him, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, with a commitment that the salary adjustment would be implemented on or before the end of April 2026.
“It may interest you to know that up to this moment, that issue has not been addressed.
“There is already agitation among health workers across the country that another ultimatum should be issued to the government,” he said.
Minjibir added that consultations are still ongoing within the union, but pressure is mounting for a fresh ultimatum to be issued.
He called on the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Coordinating Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, to urgently conclude the negotiation process.
He warned that continued neglect of workers’ welfare could have serious consequences for service delivery in the health sector.
“If health workers’ remuneration is not improved, the government should not expect productivity.
“We hope the government will address the issue before it gets to the point of another ultimatum or industrial action because patients are always at the receiving end whenever health workers go on strike,” he said.
Addressing perceptions that non-physician health workers are merely seeking parity with doctors, Minjibir dismissed the claim, stressing that remuneration should reflect job responsibilities.
“This is not true because there is a job specification in the health sector, and every professional should be remunerated based on his or her responsibilities.
“We are not competing with anybody. Doctors are our partners in the provision of healthcare services in the country,” he said.
He emphasized that healthcare delivery depends on teamwork among all categories of professionals.
“Health service is teamwork. Nobody can do his or her work alone.
“Our agitation is not based on what others have achieved but on the principle of justice and fairness for all health workers,” he added.
