The National President of the Joint Health Sector Unions, Kabiru Minjibir, has raised fresh concerns over delays in the implementation of key agreements affecting health workers, revealing that a government committee set up to address the issues has yet to resume sitting months after its inauguration.
He disclosed that a committee established by the Federal Ministry of Health to handle matters relating to the Collective Bargaining Agreement and salary adjustments had remained inactive since October last year.
According to him, the committee, chaired by the Minister of Labour, Muhammadu Dingyadi, was mandated to address critical issues surrounding the CBA and the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, but has not reconvened to continue its work.
“There was a committee set up by the Ministry of Health on the Collective Bargaining Agreement, chaired by the Minister of Labour, since October last year. The same committee will handle the issue of CONHESS adjustment but has yet to resume sitting,” he said.
The development comes amid longstanding disputes between the Federal Government and health sector unions over salary structures, allowances and working conditions.
JOHESU, which represents nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other health professionals, has repeatedly pushed for a review of CONHESS, the salary scale applicable to non-physician health workers in Nigeria.
The union has argued that disparities between CONHESS and the doctors’ salary structure, CONMESS, continue to fuel discontent within the sector.
In recent years, the disagreements have triggered a series of industrial actions, disrupting healthcare services across Federal Government hospitals.
Labour analysts warn that the failure of the committee to resume discussions could heighten tensions in the already fragile health sector.
The committee was expected to serve as a negotiation platform to address wage disparities, review allowances and welfare packages, and prevent further strikes in the sector. However, the prolonged delay has raised concerns about the Federal Government’s commitment to resolving the issues.
Nigeria’s health sector has been under increasing strain due to the persistent brain drain of medical personnel, funding challenges, rising patient load and frequent labour disputes.
Stakeholders say unresolved welfare issues could worsen the exodus of health workers and further weaken service delivery.
