By JOAN NWAGWU

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to urgently resolve health workers’ salary concerns to avert another industrial crisis in the nation’s health sector.

NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, made the call in a letter dated Aug. 6 and addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment.

The letter was made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ajaero expressed concern over delays in adjusting the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and resolving outstanding demands of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

He said JOHESU members had endured prolonged delays in spite of Memoranda of Understanding, terms of agreement and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) reached with the government.

“Years after signing MoUs, terms of agreement and CBAs, in addition to promises and assurances from appropriate authorities, members of JOHESU have been ignored or abandoned,” Ajaero said.

The NLC president urged the government to immediately resume collective bargaining with JOHESU and direct the Presidential Committee on Salaries to address outstanding issues.

The NLC president urged the minister to ensure immediate resumption of collective bargaining negotiations and encourage the Presidential Committee on Salaries to address the outstanding issues.

He said the NLC was concerned about discriminatory practices and the human cost associated with prolonged industrial disputes in the health sector.

“It needs no telling that the consequences of a complete breakdown in negotiations are quite grave,” Ajaero said.

Ajaero said the appeal should not be interpreted as a threat, but warned that the NLC would fully support JOHESU if the union was compelled to take further action.

“We strongly urge that you do all that is within your power to ensure immediate resumption of the collective agreement negotiation,” he said.

He called on the government to demonstrate stronger commitment toward resolving the outstanding issues and preventing another industrial crisis in the health sector. (NAN)

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