The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reaffirmed its commitment to reviewing the Consolidated Health Salary Structure in efforts to resolve the ongoing industrial dispute with the Joint Health Sector Unions.
In a statement on Saturday, the Director of Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, dismissed allegations that the ministry deliberately refused to implement the 2021 Technical Committee report on CONHESS adjustment.
“There is absolutely no truth in the allegations of deliberate refusal to implement the Technical Committee’s report, nor is there any discrimination against any category of health workers,” he said.
JOHESU began an indefinite strike on November 14, 2025, demanding that CONHESS be adjusted similarly to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS). The ministry stated that several conciliatory meetings have been held, including a high-level meeting on January 15 where a tentative understanding was reached.
At that meeting, JOHESU presented proposals including the implementation of the 2021 report and withdrawal of the “No Work, No Pay” policy. The ministry appealed for the status quo to be maintained to allow the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to complete an ongoing six-month job evaluation for appropriate placement of all health professionals.
Regarding “No Work, No Pay,” the ministry indicated that if the strike is called off in good faith, the matter would be handled administratively.
The ministry noted that JOHESU members have already benefited from a recent increase in professional allowances amounting to about ₦58 billion in arrears from July 2024 and ₦40 billion annually.
It urged JOHESU to call off the strike and allow negotiations to continue, expressing appreciation to health workers who remain on duty and assuring that federal hospitals will stay open.
