TUC, NLC Issue 14-Day Ultimatum Over Non-Implementation of CONHESS, Threaten Nationwide Strike

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 other relevant government agencies over the prolonged failure to implement the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), warning that a nationwide strike will follow if their demands are not met.
Organised labour accused the Ministry of Health of sustaining what it described as deliberate and provocative injustice against health workers, stressing that the continued delay in adjusting CONHESS is unacceptable.
In a joint statement signed by TUC Secretary General, Comrade N. A. Toro, and NLC Acting General Secretary, Comrade Benson Upah, the unions faulted the Federal Government for refusing to implement the report of the Technical Committee on CONHESS, chaired by the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
According to the labour centres, the government’s inaction has moved beyond administrative lapses and now reflects bad faith, institutional disrespect and unfair treatment of health workers who continue to provide essential services under difficult conditions.
They noted that more than five years after the submission of the Technical Committee’s report, health workers under CONHESS are still subjected to hardship, frustration and inequality, describing the situation as a clear demonstration of injustice.
The unions also condemned what they termed discriminatory practices within the health sector, pointing out that while the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) was reviewed and implemented, CONHESS has been persistently ignored.
They said the selective application of salary policies contradicts the government’s stated commitment to fairness, equity and industrial harmony, adding that repeated engagements with the Ministry of Health have been met with excuses, silence and what they described as an arrogant posture.
Organised labour announced that the 14-day ultimatum takes immediate effect, demanding the full implementation of the Technical Committee’s report on CONHESS in line with established precedents in the health sector.
The TUC and NLC warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would result in coordinated nationwide industrial action, including mass protests, picketing of health facilities and government offices, and a total withdrawal of services across the country.
They further directed all TUC and NLC affiliates, including the 36 state councils and the Federal Capital Territory, to commence mobilisation, placing them on red alert ahead of the planned action.
The labour centres urged the Federal Government to act promptly to avert an avoidable national shutdown, warning that the Ministry of Health would be held fully accountable for the consequences of any continued inaction.