The Joint Health Sector Unions has instructed its members to maintain their ongoing nationwide strike, pushing back against a federal government directive to enforce the “no work, no pay” policy on striking health workers.
The decision was reached during an emergency virtual meeting of JOHESU’s national leadership held on Monday, January 12, following the expiration of a 72-hour extension earlier granted by the union.
In a memo signed by the National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, the union said a majority of its affiliate unions voted to continue the industrial action, describing the government’s stance as an attempt to intimidate workers into abandoning their demands.
The renewed resolve comes days after the Federal Government ordered the immediate implementation of the “no work, no pay” rule against members of JOHESU and the Assembly of Health Care Professionals participating in the strike. The directive was issued on January 8 by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and circulated to chief medical directors and medical directors of federal health institutions.
The circular, signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Disu Adejoke, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, cited the continuation of the strike, which began on November 15, 2025. Hospital managements were instructed to deduct salaries from January 2026 for all striking workers and any other staff who may join the action.
The ministry also directed hospitals to ensure that essential services, including emergency care, labour wards and intensive care units, remain operational, with provisions for engaging locum staff where necessary.
JOHESU, however, argued that the application of the “no work, no pay” principle was being misused. While acknowledging provisions of the Trade Disputes Act that deny wages to workers on strike, the union maintained that such penalties apply only when due process is not followed.
According to the union, it complied fully with Section 41 of the Act before embarking on the strike, describing the action as a legitimate “dispute of right” rather than an unlawful stoppage of work.
The leadership urged members not to be deterred by the threat of salary deductions and called for sustained solidarity in pressing for the implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure. It also directed that picketing and monitoring activities be intensified across all chapters to ensure full adherence to the strike directive.
National and zonal officers are expected to take a more active role in monitoring compliance, while media engagement will be increased to draw public attention to the union’s demands.
JOHESU further instructed its affiliates to submit daily situation reports through the National Strike Situation Room and other official platforms, detailing developments and challenges arising from the strike.
Commending members for their endurance since the commencement of the indefinite action, the union assured health workers that negotiations with the government would continue. It pledged to pursue its demands with transparency and fairness, promising to keep members informed as discussions progress.
