By JOAN NWAGWU

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has pledged full support for the indefinite strike declared by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

This is contained in a statement, signed by Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of NLC in Abuja on Tuesday.

It would be recalled that the strike followed the Federal Government’s continued delay to implement the latest Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)signed with health unions on Oct. 29, 2024.

“The demands of the striking health workers include the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which the Federal Government has delayed for several years,” the NLC said.

It said CONMESS meant for medical doctors has been implemented since 2014, adding that CONHESS for other health professionals remained unpaid.

According to the Congress, this has caused frustration among Nigerian health workers.

It said in spite of several agreements, including an MoU signed on Sep. 30, 2017, the government had repeatedly failed to honour the payment of CONHESS.

The Congress recalled a promise by the previous government to get approval for CONHESS payment within five weeks, a commitment yet unfulfilled seven years later.

The NLC said that if the flagship CONHESS demand was not resolved promptly, it may mobilise all Nigerian workers in solidarity with JOHESU.

The NLC said that health workers would no longer wait indefinitely for implementation of agreed salary structures.

“The patience of Nigerian health workers has been stretched thin. We urge the Federal Government must respect collective bargaining agreements or face intensified labour action,” NLC stated. (NAN)

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