The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Health over the delayed implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure adjustment report. The report, submitted in 2021, aimed to address salary distortions in the health sector.
According to a joint statement by the unions, the continued delay in implementing the report is a direct affront to organized labour and health professionals. The unions emphasized that health workers have waited for over five years and that the Ministry must act without further delay. They described the delay as a deliberate act of injustice and an institutional disrespect for organized labour.
The unions noted that similar salary adjustments for medical professionals were implemented without delay, highlighting the selective application of salary adjustments as a sign of government insincerity and discrimination. They recalled repeated engagements and interventions that yielded no response from the Ministry of Health, warning that failure to act within the 14-day period will trigger nationwide industrial action.
The unions stated that they have exercised restraint for years but their patience has run out. They threatened to mobilize all Nigerian workers for coordinated industrial action, including mass protests, picketing of health institutions, and withdrawal of services across the country. The unions emphasized that health workers’ labour sustains the nation and cannot continue to be ignored.
The Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress placed all affiliates, including state councils and the Federal Capital Territory, on red alert for mobilization. They called on the government to avert avoidable industrial action by complying with the ultimatum period. The unions’ demand for the immediate implementation of the report highlights the need for the government to address the long-standing issues in the health sector.
The development comes as the health sector continues to face challenges, including brain drain and low morale among health workers. The implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure adjustment report is seen as a crucial step towards addressing these challenges and improving the overall healthcare system in Nigeria. With the 14-day ultimatum, the government is under pressure to act swiftly to prevent industrial action that could have far-reaching consequences for the health sector and the nation at large.
