LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigeria’s public health sector faces continued disruption as the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU), has reaffirmed its decision to sustain its indefinite national strike, rejecting the Federal Government’s enforcement of the “no work, no pay” policy.
The position was outlined in an internal memo signed by the union’s National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, and circulated to presidents, general secretaries, and state chairmen of its affiliate unions. The directive followed an emergency virtual meeting of JOHESU’s national leadership held on January 12, where the union reviewed the state of the industrial action across the country.
According to the memo, the government recently ordered the stoppage of salaries for striking health workers through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. This move, alongside a separate directive from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare instructing hospital chief executives to enforce the policy, prompted renewed deliberations within the union.
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JOHESU maintained that the strike was triggered by unresolved demands, particularly the implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and broader welfare concerns affecting its members. The leadership said it assessed reports from affiliate unions and state congresses before resolving to press on with the action nationwide.
Reacting to the government’s stance, JOHESU described the “no work, no pay” policy as a familiar pressure tactic often deployed when labour disputes linger without resolution. The union stressed that it had complied with all requirements stipulated in the Trade Disputes Act before commencing the strike, insisting that the action constitutes a lawful dispute of right rather than a violation of industrial relations laws.
In a message to health workers, the union urged members not to lose resolve, calling for continued unity and commitment. It also announced plans to intensify monitoring, picketing, and media engagement while exploring additional strategies to press home its demands.
With negotiations still stalled, the ongoing strike underscores deep tensions within Nigeria’s health sector, raising concerns about service delivery while highlighting persistent challenges around worker welfare.
