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Tag: CONHESS

  • NLC, TUC issue FG 14-day ultimatum overdelayed implementation of CONHESS

    NLC, TUC issue FG 14-day ultimatum overdelayed implementation of CONHESS

    The two labour centres – Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement the report of the Technical Committee on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which was submitted in 2021.

     The ultimatum was contained in a statement jointly signed by the TUC Secretary General, Nuhu Toro and Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah on Saturday in Abuja.

     The two labour centres demanded the immediate implementation of the report of the Technical Committee on the adjustment of the CONHESS, which was submitted in 2021.

     The unions described the continued delay as a deliberate act of injustice against health workers.

     According to them, the report, chaired by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, addressed salary distortions in the health sector.

     The statement read: “Health workers have waited long enough for over five years. The Ministry must act without further delay.

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     “Failure to implement the CONHESS report is a direct affront to organised labour and the hardworking health professionals who sustain the nation.”

     They stated that the non-implementation shows bad faith and institutional disrespect for organised labour.

     The unions recalled that similar adjustments for the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) were implemented without delay.

     They said that the selective application of salary adjustments exposes the government’s insincerity and discrimination.

     The unions highlighted repeated engagements and interventions that yielded no response from the Federal Ministry of Health.

     They warned that failure to act within the 14-day period could trigger nationwide industrial action.

     The statement added: “We have exercised restraint for years, but our patience has run out. The Ministry must act now.

     “Should the government fail to implement the CONHESS report within the stipulated period, organised labour will mobilise all Nigerian workers for coordinated industrial action.”

     They added that industrial action could include mass protests, picketing of health institutions, and withdrawal of services across the country.

     The unions said health workers’ labour sustains the nation and cannot continue to be ignored.

     They added that bureaucratic excuses and promises without action will no longer be tolerated.

     The statement said: “TUC and NLC therefore place all affiliates, including state councils and the FCT, on red alert for mobilisation.”

     They called on the government to avert avoidable industrial action by complying within the ultimatum period.

  • MHWUN demands implementation of CONHESS salary structure for Enugu workers

    MHWUN demands implementation of CONHESS salary structure for Enugu workers

    The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has called on Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to address and consider all the irregularities concerning the payment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) salary structure.

    The CONHESS is a salary scale for healthcare professionals in Nigeria, including nurses, pharmacists, and other medical professionals.

    The Secretary General of MHWUN, Comrade Auwal Yusuf Kiyawa made the call in an interview with newsmen at the occasion of the National Women Leadership Development Workshop, Southeast Zone held at the Arbovirus and Research Centre in Enugu.

    According to Comrade Kiyawa, “There is utmost need for the governor to consider the payment of CONHESS salary structure to those that have not been paid

    “If you go to other states, i think they have fully implemented and are paying the CONHESS salary structure and I’m very much sure his Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah would not want to be in isolation having been someone who has a reputation of paying salaries as at when due.” Kiyawa stated

    The Secretary General also used the opportunity to thank and appreciate Governor Mbah for giving a positive atmosphere to ensure a peaceful workshop.

    “I think the event of today is very encouraging, motivating, and lovely as it is a part of the policy of our union to always have a national workshop at least twice a year for our women.” Kiyawa stated.

    The National President of the union, Kabiru Ado Sani emphasized the importance of building women’s capacity to thrive in leadership roles just as he acknowledged the challenges faced by women in the workplace, including discrimination, gender-based violence, and the need for re-skilling and up-skilling in response to changing work environments.

    “To address these challenges, the Union is committed to building advocacy around issues of gender equality and equity, social justice, and just transition.” Sani said

    Laying more emphasis on what the Secretary General said, Chairman, MHWUN Enugu State Council, Mrs. Nnenna Juliet Oriedu, stated that two of the three unions that make up the Joint Joint Sector Union and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) umbrella, only the health workers, the core medical and health workers namely, the porters, partisan, the health attendants are yet to be paid CONHESS

    “The nurses and the medical lab technicians have been paid. We have our members drawn from the ESUT Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Ministry of Health, Polly Clinic, most of them are in state management board

    “We have others in the veterinary services in the Ministry of Agriculture. They are all health workers. Till today, we are still expectant

    “We are hoping that the governor in his magnanimity will pay our workers as others received theirs in August last year. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander, ” Oriedu stated.

    On the workshop, themed “Empowered to Lead: Advancing Women Skills in Trade Union Leadership toward Just Transition in Health Sector,” is aimed to build women’s leadership skills and promote their participation in nation-building

    Oriedu also made an appeal to Governor Peter Mbah. “I wish to use this opportunity to specially appeal to our amiable governor, who has demonstrated leadership in massive infrastructural development in Enugu to support the Enugu State Council of the union with a plot of land and bus to enable us build our permanent secretariat render services to our members swiftly.” Oriedu said.

    The workshop is part of the union’s initiative to develop women’s leadership skills, which started in 2008. The event which brought together women leaders from various unions to share experiences and gain skills to excel in leadership positions, also aims to provide a platform for women to develop their leadership skills and contribute to the union’s agenda for gender mainstreaming, which has been ongoing since 2003.

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    Meanwhile, the National Chairperson of the Union emphasized the importance of women’s leadership in achieving a just transition in the health sector.

    She called on State Chairmen and union leaders to deepen their commitment to gender inclusion, actively involving women in union activities, leadership development, and decision-making processes.

    She emphasized that women’s participation is critical to achieving a just transition in the health sector and urged participants to remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice, equity, and dignity for all health workers.

  • Japa: Kwara health workers to receive 100 percent CONHESS pay

    Japa: Kwara health workers to receive 100 percent CONHESS pay

    The Kwara State government announced on Monday, 12 January, that it had approved a 100 percent payment of the Consolidated Health Workers’ Salaries Structure (CONHESS).

    It added that the salaries of health workers in the state are now on par with those of their counterparts at the federal level.

    This development, according to the government, has reduced attrition from the state health sector to the federal government, adding that “this has diminished the menace of the Japa syndrome in the state health sector.”

    The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Hospital Management Board, Dr Abdulraheem Malik, told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, during an inter-ministerial press briefing.

    Dr Malik added that the board has recruited more doctors and health workers to bridge the gap caused by the Japa syndrome and brain drain in the state.

    “Hitherto, Kwara did not have a blood bank depot. This prompted Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq to approve the procurement and supply of blood banks for many hospitals among the 46 hospitals under the board.

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    “So far, the management board has trained 1,056 health workers in patient care and customer service,” he said.

    Dr Malik spoke on the board’s achievements between January and December 2024.

    Also speaking, the Managing Director of the state Garment Factory, Bukola Adedeji, hinted that the factory can employ no fewer than 4,000 workers, stating that the factory is capable of producing 6,000 garments daily.

    Mrs Adedeji added that the factory has been positioned to make Kwara a leader in garment production.

    “The factory is committed to delivering world-class products of diverse ranges with an emphasis on durability.

    “Prospects of the factory include direct and indirect job creation; increased internally generated revenue by driving local production, and a reduction in imported apparel,” she said.

    She added that the factory will expand into the African market through its targeted marketing strategies.

  • JOHESU paralyses activities at Ministry of Health

    Health workers under the aegis of Joint Health Workers Union ( JOHESU ) paralysed activities at the Federal Ministry of Health Monday, demanding immediate implementation of the collective agreement reached with workers.

    The protesting JOHESU members also called for a holistic turn around the health sector to enable Nigerians have access to quality healthcare.

    They kicked against unjustified withholding of the salaries of JOHESU members for the months of April and May 2018 and also called for upward adjustment of CONHESS salary structure.

    The workers according to a staff of the ministry, arrived at the ministry complex in large number carrying placards with several inscriptions, threatened to mobilize Nigerian workers to come out with their mattresses, pillows and cooking utensils to the Federal Secretariat Abuja and also the houses of the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole in both Abuja and his village in Osun state.

    Read Also: Strike: JOHESU issues seven-day ultimatum

    Addressing the workers, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Waba who decried the discrimination being meted to health workers in the country said for peace to reign in the sector, there must be justice adding that has written to the President, Minister of health and the Minister of Labour and Productivity on the need to resolve the dispute in the health sector but has not received any response from them.

    Waba who criticized the Minister of Health for implementing No work No Pay rule in the health sector said, “The law of No work No Pay is a military decree. It is decree 54 of 1977. No government in the history of Nigeria either military or civilian has implemented it. Why should it then be implemented if they didn’t implement collective bargaining agreement. He who goes to equity must go with clean hands. Therefore you cannot benefit all and all that we have already also violated another law

    “We will continue to fight. Let us be ready. Anytime you hear that we are reconvening here, you should come with your mattress and pillow. We are going to get people to cook here, we will sleep here. The minister has said that he doesn’t want peace in the health sector he cannot also have peace in his family, village and wherever he is. I want to assure you that we cannot be deterred. Nobody can associate your action which is legitimate to any political association.

    Also speaking, JOHESU President, Josiah Biobelemoye, said the peaceful protest was in response to deliberate attempt by the health minister to disrespect various agreements government reached with the health workers.

    He observed that the union’s plan was to locked down the ministry and occupy it till their requests were met, but they toned down their action because of the intervention by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    He said, “Most worrisome was that they have violated several parts of the order of the National Industrial Court. They have equally implemented no work no pay, which was contrary to the suggestions of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) team.

    “We never requested for equality. We only requested for equity. We ought to have commenced a nationwide strike on Monday or Tuesday, but swift intervention came from a highly respected clergyman over the weekend, who pleaded for more time to intervene.

    “We have agreed to soft pedal and watch the outcome of the intervention this week. We won’t hesitate to embark on a strike by the end of this week if we fail to get positive response.”

  • Health workers give Enugu, Anambra three months to address CONHESS issues 

    The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), has given the governments of Anambra and Enugu states three months to address the impending issues of CONHESS or face the wrath of the workers

    The National Vice President of MHWUN, South East zone, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor, said this Friday in Awka, Anambra state, during its zonal workshop and meeting of the Union at the Noble Hotels.

    He said the issue with Anambra was the disparity in payment of the CONHESS, where local government pays 40 percent to health workers, while their counterparts in the state pay 60 percent, calling for the harmonization.

    But in Enugu said, Nwafor said nothing had been started, adding that Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states were 100 percent on the CONHESS issue.

    “We are giving these governments in the South East three months or we use every other available means at our disposal to get our rights and they should not allow us to exercise it”

    The Anambra state Chairman of MHWUN, comrade Chinwe Orizu, commended the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for the prompt payment of workers’ salaries in the state, while calling on him to address the disparity.

    She said the Union had written several letters drawing the attention of the Governor to the discrimination and the committee setup to look into labour issues for the past one year, had not equally submitted its report.

    On contributory pension Scheme, she said notwithstanding the overwhelming opposition of workers to the scheme, government still deduct from worker’s salary.

    The Head of Service HoS, Harry Uduh, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Establishments, Carol Njaka, said the state government and workers relationship had been cordial in the state, adding that they should be patient.

    For the Permanent Secretary, Environment, Okafor S N, represented by Rev Sis Monic Okeke, workers should be united in everything they do, adding that they should not allow ‘bad blood ‘ divide them.

  • Kano State Govt. uncovers N12.7m salary fraud

    Kano State Govt. uncovers N12.7m salary fraud

    Kano State Government, said on Wednesday it has uncovered a salary fraud amounting to N12.7 million in two parastatals in the state.

    A statement by Malam Mustapha Fagge, the Public Relations Officer, office of the state Head of Service, said the fraud was uncovered in the State Hospital Management Board and Senior Secondary Schools Management Board.

    According to the statement, the discovery followed an investigation ordered by the Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Muhammad Na’iya.

    “As a result of the investigation, a case of alleged connivance involving some Computer Centre staff and two others on posting from the office of the Auditor-General was discovered.

    “Twenty two cases were discovered from the State Health Management Board and two from the State Senior Secondary Schools Management Board,”the statement said.

    It added that the affected officers had been served with queries in addition to appropriate disciplinary measures taken by their respective organizations.

    “A forensic analysis of the entire state payroll is being carried out in order to ensure that all such sleazy deals are unearthed and culprits brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.”

    The statement also dismissed as fake, a circular inferring that CONHESS salary scale has been restored for non-medical workers in the hospitals management board.

  • Ebonyi uncovers 838 cemetery keepers

    Ebonyi state government has uncovered a job scam in the local government system involving 838 cemetery keepers who are receiving CONHESS.

     

    Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Samuel Okoronkwo stated this on Thursday in Abakaliki, the state capital.

     

    The Commissioner also debunked rumors making the rounds that the state government wants to sack medical workers in the local government system.

     

    He what the state government was doing was to find out the workers who are not health workers but are earning salary under the Consolidated Health salary Structure (CONHESS).

     

    According to him, investigation so far have revealed that previous administrations in the state fraudulently employed about 838 workers as cemetery keepers even while there was no cemetery in the 13 locql government areas managed by the state government.

     

    He said, “The only cemetery in the state is in Abakaliki and it is being managed by the Catholic Church, so what are the cemetery keepers doing. Why are they earning CONHESS?

     

    “So this people have no work schedule, they don’t go to work but take very high salary at the end of the month, more than those who are actually working. That is fraudulent and this government will not allow it to continue”, he added.

     

    He assured that the affected workers will not be sacked but will be removed from the CONHESS and reposted to other areas in the local government where they will be useful.

     

    The Commissioner said a Committee has been set up to look into the issue with members drawn from various Unions and government.

     

    Mr Okoronkwo further stated that the Ministry will also embark on screening of certificates having discovered that many workers in the local government system have fake certificates.

  • Health workers give three-day warning strike notice

    Health workers, under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JEHSU) and Assembly of All Healthcare Professionals, yesterday notified the Federal Government of a three-day warning strike, beginning tomorrow.

    They decried the alleged injustice against their members by the Federal Government.

    Announcing the warning strike, JEHSU’s Deputy Chairman Godswill Okara said: “Our display of good faith, patience, restraint and maturity has been taken for weakness. In the lightof a series of industrial violations, injustice and deprivation, our members will embark on a three-day warning strike, from Wednesday, January 22, 2014.”

    The unions urged the Federal Government to address selective wage increase for doctors; failure to promote deserving members; failure to issue circular for placement of members; failure to issue circular on the abolition of the illegal position of deputy chairman, Medical Advisory Council (DCMAC) in some hospitals; illegal and lopsided composition of boards of teaching/specialist hospitals/federal medical centres; and failure to comply with the National Industrial Court’s (NIC’s) judgement on CONHESS 10.

    The unions condemned the establishment of the surgeon-general of the federation.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday said: “We found out that the ministry has not implemented any of the issues although local branches had begun the strike to protest the non-skipping of CONHESS 10, which the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) upheld in its judgment.

    “This development has, once again, demonstrated a consistent threat to insecurity in industrial relations.”

  • Health workers give Akpabio seven-day ultimatum

    Health workers give Akpabio seven-day ultimatum

    The Joint Health Sector Unions in Akwa Ibom State yesterday issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government to address the non- implementation of the Federal Government-approved Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) or face strike.

    In a letter by the state chairman of the National Association ofNigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and six others, addressed to Governor Godswill Akpabio through the Head of Service, the workers said all the health workers except those in Akwa Ibom have enjoyed CONHESS as approved by the Federal Government.

    The letter reads: “You will recall that health workers in Akwa

    Ibom State have over three years watched with keen interest, the refusal by the government to adopt and implement CONHESS, which has since been enjoyed by health workers in all states except those in Akwa Ibom.

    “We have observed that Akwa Ibom State government under the leadership of Governor Akpabio has refused to discuss the issues raised by the health workers, especially as it concerns the implementation of the Federal Government-approved CONHESS.

    “We are giving government seven days ultimatum. At the end, if nothing is done, we would have no option than to resume the suspended strike.”

     

  • Ekiti approves minimum wage, CONHESS

    Ekiti approves minimum wage, CONHESS

    · LG workers resume tomorrow

    Ekiti state government has approved the payment of N19,320 minimum wage to workers across the 16 local government areas.

    It also approved the immediate payment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers in the councils.

    Announcing the state government’s approval of the two major demands of the workers at the weekend, Commissioner for Labour, Productivity and Human Capital Development, Mr. Wole Adewumi, said Governor Kayode Fayemi decided to resolve all issues connected with the implementation of the new minimum wage and the biometric data capture in the spirit of love and brotherliness.

    The workers are to resume work tomorrow after a two-month industrial action.

    The commissioner noted the workers would commence moves for the revalidation of their bank account details to enable immediate payment of the minimum wage.

    Speaking on the various verification exercises carried out by government, Adewumi said the first physical verification exercise reported that there are 19,258 personnel in the 16 local government areas while subsequent biometric data capture recorded 19,212.

    He added that a further check of the 19,212 staff revealed that only 17,889 are on the nominal roll while 1,323 workers collecting a total N63, 149,083.98 monthly are not on the nominal roll.

    Adewumi stated further that for efficiency at the third tier of government, the state government has also decided to redeploy 1,756 workers who have National Certificate of Education (NCE) and other education-related qualifications to the State Universal Basic Education Board and the Teaching Service Commission.

    This, he said, will relieve the councils of monthly financial commitment of N53, 526,778.32.

    The commissioner also disclosed that a total of 4,669 Primary Health Care workers will be redeployed to the newly created Primary Health Care Development Agency, while the non- core health workers redeployed to the Agency will enjoy the new minimum wage obtainable at the state level.

    Adewumi, who was joined at the briefing by his counterparts in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Dapo Kolawole; Information and Civic Orientation, Hon Funminiyi Afuye and the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Chief Aderemi Ajayi, revealed that the verification exercise will hold simultaneously in the 16 local government councils from tomorrow (Monday).