The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have issued a final 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant government agencies over the non-implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), warning that failure to act will lead to a nationwide strike.
The labour centres accused the Federal Ministry of Health of sustained injustice against health workers, describing the prolonged delay in adjusting CONHESS as deliberate and provocative.
In a joint statement signed by the Secretary General of the TUC, Comrade General NA Toro, and the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Benson Upah, organised labour faulted the government for refusing to implement the report of the Technical Committee on CONHESS, which was submitted in 2021 and chaired by the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
According to the unions, the delay has gone beyond administrative oversight and now represents bad faith, institutional disrespect, and unfair treatment of health workers who have continued to render essential services under difficult conditions.
They expressed concern that more than five years after the report was submitted, health workers under CONHESS continue to suffer hardship, frustration, and inequality, while similar salary structures in the sector have been promptly addressed.
The labour centres condemned what they described as discriminatory treatment within the health sector, noting that the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) was adjusted and implemented with effect from January 2, 2014, while CONHESS has been deliberately ignored.
They said the selective application of salary policies undermines the government’s claims of fairness, equity, and commitment to industrial harmony.
The statement further accused the Ministry of Health of responding to repeated engagements with excuses and silence, describing the ministry’s attitude as arrogant and a betrayal of trust.
Organised labour announced that the 14-day ultimatum takes effect from January 23, 2026, demanding the immediate implementation of the 2021 Technical Committee report on CONHESS in line with existing precedents in the health sector.
The unions warned that failure to comply within the deadline would result in coordinated nationwide industrial action, including mass protests, picketing of health institutions and government offices, and a total withdrawal of services across the country.
They stressed that they would no longer tolerate empty promises, bureaucratic obstruction, or the continued marginalisation of health workers whose services are critical to national wellbeing.
All TUC and NLC affiliates nationwide, including the 36 state councils and the Federal Capital Territory, have been placed on red alert and directed to begin mobilisation for the planned action.
The labour centres advised the Federal Government to act promptly to prevent an avoidable national shutdown, warning that the Ministry of Health would be held fully responsible for the consequences of continued inaction.
