By Erewunmi Peace

The Federal Government has directed the management of federal hospitals across the country to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy on members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) currently on strike.

This directive was issued through a circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, following the continuation of the industrial action embarked upon by JOHESU over unresolved welfare and salary-related demands.

According to the circular, hospital chief medical directors and medical directors have been instructed to ensure that salaries are withheld from health workers who fail to report for duty due to participation in the strike.

The government emphasized that payment of wages is tied to service delivery and attendance at work.

Despite the ongoing strike, the Federal Government has also ordered all public hospitals to sustain the provision of essential and emergency healthcare services.

These include accident and emergency units, labour and maternity wards, intensive care units, and other critical departments where patient lives are at immediate risk.

The Ministry advised hospital managements to explore lawful measures to keep these services running, including the use of available non-striking personnel or temporary arrangements where necessary, in order to prevent avoidable loss of lives.

JOHESU commenced an indefinite strike following disagreements with the government over issues such as salary adjustments, implementation of allowances, and conditions of service for its members.

The union has accused the government of failing to honour previous agreements reached after earlier negotiations.

In response, the Federal Government maintained that it remains open to dialogue but will not suspend established labour policies. Officials stressed that the “No Work, No Pay” rule is a standing principle within the public service and will be enforced as long as the strike persists.

The development has sparked mixed reactions across the health sector, with concerns from civil society groups about the impact of the strike on healthcare delivery, particularly for vulnerable patients who depend on public hospitals.

As negotiations continue, patients are advised to seek information from their local health facilities on available services, while stakeholders urge both parties to reach a resolution in the interest of public health and safety.