The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) has reaffirmed its decision to continue its ongoing indefinite national strike, despite the Federal Government’s enforcement of the ‘no work, no pay’ policy.
The union made its position known in a memo signed by its National Secretary, Mr. Martin Egbanubi, and circulated to presidents, general secretaries and state chairmen of its affiliate unions. The memo followed an emergency virtual meeting of JOHESU’s national leadership held on January 12 to review developments surrounding the industrial action.
JOHESU recalled that the Federal Government recently directed the stoppage of salaries of its members through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, alongside instructions to health institutions to enforce the ‘no work, no pay’ rule. It also noted a directive from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to chief medical directors and managing directors to fully implement the policy.
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According to the union, the strike was triggered by unresolved welfare issues, particularly the non-implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), as well as other long-standing demands affecting health workers’ conditions of service.
The leadership said it had reviewed reports from affiliate unions and state congresses nationwide, which indicated strong compliance and continued support for the strike.
JOHESU described the ‘no work, no pay’ policy as a familiar tactic often deployed by government during prolonged labour disputes, insisting that it would not deter members.
The union stressed that it followed all procedures stipulated in the Trade Disputes Act before embarking on the strike, maintaining that the action is lawful and constitutes a dispute of right.
JOHESU urged its members to remain united, committed and focused, assuring them that the leadership would intensify monitoring, picketing and media engagement while exploring all lawful strategies to achieve its demands.
