January 10, (THEWILL) — The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has rejected the Federal Government’s enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy, vowing to sustain its nationwide industrial action until its long-standing demands are met.
The strike, which began on November 14, 2025, entered its 58th day on Saturday, January 10, 2026, continuing to disrupt services across federal tertiary health institutions.
In a statement jointly signed by the National Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, and Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, the union described the government’s directive as a familiar attempt to weaken the resolve of health workers.
The response follows a circular dated January 8, 2026, from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which ordered Chief Medical Directors to stop the salaries of striking members effective from January 2026.
JOHESU explained that the industrial action was a last resort after exhausting all peaceful channels of engagement.
The union’s primary grievances include the persistent failure of the government to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and a recent “discriminatory” circular on retirement ages.
The union alleges that while it campaigned for 15 years to raise the retirement age for all health workers to 65 (and 70 for consultants), the government’s new policy selectively favors only one cadre of professionals.
Dismissing the “No Work, No Pay” threat as coercive, JOHESU insisted that such measures cannot erase decades of systemic injustice. The union maintained that its members—comprising nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and other allied professionals—remain undeterred.
Calling for unity, the leadership described the strike as a “resistance with purpose” and urged members to “hold the line” despite the financial pressure.
The Federal Government has meanwhile instructed hospitals to maintain critical services, such as accident and emergency and intensive care units, through the use of locum staff.
While the government maintains its stance on the legality of the salary forfeiture, the strike continues to leave thousands of patients stranded in public hospitals nationwide.
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