JOHESU Vows to Continue Nationwide Strike Despite FG’s ‘No Work No Pay’ Threat

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The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) has reaffirmed that its indefinite national strike will continue, despite the Federal Government’s directive to enforce a ‘no work, no pay’ policy against its members.

Gossip News Now reports that the union made this position clear in a memo signed by its National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, addressed to presidents, general secretaries, and state chairmen of its affiliate unions on Tuesday in Abuja.

The memo followed resolutions from an emergency virtual meeting of JOHESU’s national leadership held on January 12, where developments surrounding the strike were reviewed. Reports from affiliate unions and congresses across the country were also examined to gauge compliance with the industrial action.

The Federal Government had recently instructed that salaries of striking health workers be withheld through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare also issued a memo directing chief medical directors and managing directors of federal health institutions to implement the policy.

JOHESU criticized the ‘no work, no pay’ directive, describing it as a standard pressure tactic often used when labour disputes are unresolved. The union stressed that its strike is justified, arising from long-standing demands for the implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and other unresolved welfare-related concerns affecting its members.

The union emphasized that all procedures under the Trade Disputes Act were fully observed before initiating the strike, making the industrial action a lawful dispute of right rather than a breach of industrial relations laws.

JOHESU called on its members to remain steadfast, highlighting the importance of solidarity, unity, and commitment to the cause. The national leadership plans to intensify monitoring, picketing, media engagement, and explore additional strategic measures to ensure its demands are met.

The union reiterated that the strike will continue until the Federal Government addresses the issues raised, underlining that the welfare of health workers is central to effective healthcare delivery in Nigeria.