The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) has declared that there will be no suspension of its ongoing indefinite nationwide strike, despite the Federal Government’s decision to invoke the ‘no work, no pay’ policy against its members.
The union’s position was contained in a memo signed by its National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, and circulated to presidents, general secretaries and state chairmen of affiliate unions on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the memo, the decision to sustain the strike followed resolutions reached at an emergency virtual meeting of JOHESU’s national leadership held on January 12, where developments surrounding the industrial action were reviewed.
JOHESU recalled that the Federal Government recently ordered the enforcement of the ‘no work, no pay’ policy and directed the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to stop the salaries of striking health workers.
The union said the strike was necessitated by the government’s failure to address its long-standing demands, including the implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and other outstanding welfare issues affecting health professionals.
It noted that its leadership had received and reviewed reports from affiliate unions and state congresses to assess the level of compliance with the strike across the country.
JOHESU also reacted to a directive from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare instructing chief medical directors and managing directors of health institutions to strictly enforce the ‘no work, no pay’ policy.
Describing the policy as a familiar tactic often deployed by governments to pressure workers amid unresolved labour disputes, the union insisted that its action was lawful.
It maintained that all procedures stipulated under the Trade Disputes Act were duly followed before embarking on the strike, stressing that the action qualifies as a legitimate dispute of rights rather than a violation of industrial relations laws.
The union urged its members nationwide not to be intimidated by the government’s stance, calling for continued solidarity, resilience and commitment until their demands are addressed.