By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Health workers across the 16 local government areas of Kwara State have started receiving monthly salaries commensurate with 100 percent Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

The payment took effect from January 2024 in line with the agreement between the state government and the organized labour.

Sequel to the recent negotiation with the labour movement, the state government had approved the implementation of CONHESS for health workers in the local government areas, the gesture of which health workers at the state level have been enjoying for the past few months.

The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kwara State Council, Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka, confirmed the implementation of CONHESS for local government health workers in an interview with journalists in Ilorin.

He said health workers, whose bank account have been credited for January salary were excited to receive the pay.

Olayinka added that the state government also directed payment of hazard allowance to all categories of local government health workers.

He said the approval of CONHESS and hazard allowance to workers at third tier of government was part of the ongoing organized labour’s negotiation with the state government over the latter’s catalogue of demands for the workforce.

The NLC chairman also noted that the government also agreed to, from this month (January), defray arrears of salary of local government workers and teachers under State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) ranging from 20 percent to 50 percent.

Olayinka explained that backlog of arrears of promotions for workers in the state also formed discussion between the state government and the labour movement.

He added that letters would be released to affected workers and financial benefit will follow subsequently.

“Following our negotiation with the state government, 100% CONHESS and hazard allowance have been approved for implementation and payment to health workers in local government areas starting from this month (January).

“The government will also defray payment of LGAs workers and SUBEB teachers arrears this month ranging from 20% to 50% for LGAs.

“During our meeting, the issue of promotion received a top attention while letters will be released to affected workers and financial benefit will follow.

“While the meeting on other demands will be discussed on better ways to meet up with them this week”, Olayinka said.

It would be recalled that the organised labour had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the state government to address unmet demands of state workers with a warning that it could not guarantee industrial harmony in the state.

In a swift response, the state government raised a team headed by Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Mahe Abdulkadir, to hold a fresh negotiation with the organized labour as a measure to avert likely industrial disquiet.