By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Health workers, under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), have vowed to continue their indefinite nationwide strike over the Federal Government’s failure to release the circular and salary table required for the implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
JOHESU’s decision was contained in a communiqué issued on Tuesday, December 9, at the end of its expanded National Executive Council (NEC) emergency virtual meeting held on Monday, and was signed by its National Chairman, Kabiru Minjibir, and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi.
The NEC also warned the government against victimising health workers participating in the industrial action, insisting that such actions violate established labour norms.
The communiqué read: “The expanded NEC-in-Session condemned the delay by the Federal Government to issue the enabling circular and table for the implementation of the adjusted CONHESS, including payment arrangements.
“NEC, after a critical review of this development, approved that the indefinite national strike which commenced after the expiration of the 15-day ultimatum on November 14, 2025, should continue.
“NEC reminded the government of the norms in industrial relations and asserted that members of JOHESU should not be victimised for participating in the national strike.”
It further directed state health institutions and chapters that had issued strike notices to join the action immediately their respective ultimatums expired, should they receive negative responses from state governments.
The union also warned that locum staff and interns should not be used to sabotage the strike, as they are not lawfully permitted to work independently in any health profession.
It also vowed to use all legitimate means to resist quackery, casualisation, and unprofessional practices in the hospitals.
The communiqué added: “NEC forbade the use of locum staff and interns to sabotage the national strike in some federal and state health institutions.
“NEC posited that interns were lawfully not permitted to work independently in any health profession, as the mandatory programme was part of their training, which compromises patient safety if their services are not strictly regulated by their preceptor.
“NEC encouraged members to remain resolute and sustain the tempo of the strike in the ultimate professional and public interest.”
JOHESU sympathised with Nigerians for what it described as an avoidable and unfortunate situation, and commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their solidarity.
It also appealed to labour bodies, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, elder statesmen, and concerned stakeholders to pressure the Federal Government to urgently meet its single flagship demand of CONHESS adjustment to restore stability in the health sector.
Recall that JOHESU and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations began an indefinite nationwide strike on November 15, citing the Federal Government’s persistent failure to implement the adjusted CONHESS and address longstanding welfare and systemic issues affecting health workers.
