The Nigeria Labour Congress has warned of a likely industrial crisis in the country’s health sector if the Federal Government does not take urgent steps to resolve the lingering salary dispute with the Joint Health Sector Unions.
The NLC made the call in a letter dated August 6, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment and signed by its President, Joe Ajaero.
The letter followed a July 31 communication by the Joint Health Sector Unions, expressing frustration over the slow pace of efforts to resolve its demands, particularly the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure.
The NLC said it was concerned that agreements, memoranda of understanding and collective bargaining agreements reached with the government over the years had yet to fully resolve the grievances of the health workers.
“We are similarly concerned that years after signing MoUs, terms of agreement and CBAs (Collective Bargaining Agreements) in addition to promises and assurances from appropriate authorities, members of JOHESU have been ignored or abandoned,” Ajaero stated.
The labour body, therefore, appealed to the Labour Minister to intervene and ensure that negotiations resume immediately, while also urging him to engage the Presidential Committee on Salaries on the matter.
“Honourable Minister, in light of the above, we strongly urge that you do all that is within your power to ensure immediate resumption of the collective agreement negotiation as well as nudge the Presidential Committee on Salaries to do the needful,” the letter stated.
The NLC warned that a failure to resolve the dispute could have serious consequences, particularly for healthcare delivery and industrial relations in the country.
“It needs no telling that the consequences of a complete breakdown in negotiations are quite grave,” it said.
Although the NLC said its letter was not intended as a threat, it pledged to support JOHESU if the union was compelled to take further industrial action.
“We do not intend this as a threat, given the circumstances of this matter.
“However, in the event JOHESU is compelled to take further action in respect of this matter, the congress will not hesitate to lend its support to the hilt,” Ajaero said.
(Ripples)