Health sector workers begin nationwide strike over 12-year salary structure delay

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has commenced an indefinite nationwide strike in protest against what it described as the Federal Government’s prolonged failure to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), a process pending for 12 years.

JOHESU National Chairman, Mr. Kabiru Minjibir, announced the industrial action on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists at the close of the union’s Expanded National Executive Council meeting.

According to him, the strike decision stemmed from a unanimous resolution directing all affiliate unions in federal health facilities to withdraw their services from midnight on Friday.

Minjibir noted that the unions had engaged the government repeatedly since 2014, holding several negotiations and conciliation meetings, but with no tangible progress despite numerous commitments and signed memoranda.

He added that the government’s refusal to act on the High-Level Body report on CONHESS, submitted in 2022, had deepened workers’ frustration, especially as health professionals had consistently shown restraint and opted for dialogue.

“This 12-year delay is unacceptable. Health workers have shown maturity and patriotism, but government inaction has made this strike inevitable.

“Our members will remain on strike until the adjusted CONHESS structure is fully implemented.

‘We cannot continue working under a violated agreement that disadvantages our workforce,” he said.

Minjibir disclosed that JOHESU state councils had also been instructed to issue a 15-day strike notice to their respective state governments in compliance with labour laws, assuring that the national body would fully support any action taken at the state level.

While apologising to Nigerians for the impact of the strike, he stressed that the unions were compelled to act due to persistent government delays. He also cautioned against any form of intimidation or harassment of workers participating in the action.

He reaffirmed JOHESU’s readiness for immediate dialogue, noting that swift implementation of the salary structure could lead to a suspension of the strike without further escalation.

Minjibir urged the government to prioritise health workers’ welfare, emphasising that timely dispute resolution was vital for service delivery and national stability.