The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and other health professional associations have condemned the non-payment of January salaries to health workers in the country, describing the action as punitive, unjust, and a threat to Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system.

In a statement issued in Abuja, JOHESU accused the government of applying the “no work, no pay” policy in bad faith, stressing that the industrial action was necessitated by prolonged neglect of agreements, unpaid allowances, and unresolved welfare issues affecting health workers in federal and state health institutions.

According to JOHESU, thousands of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, and other allied health professionals are yet to receive their January salaries, despite having rendered services before the strike commenced.

The union regretted that the government’s action has worsened the hardship faced by workers amid rising inflation, increased taxation, and the high cost of living.

It reiterated the warning by security agencies that  continued salary delays and labour unrest in the health sector could threaten public safety, particularly in emergency medical situations.

According to the union, the “no work, no pay” principle cannot be selectively enforced when the government has consistently failed to honour collective agreements and court-mediated resolutions.

It called on the Federal Government to immediately release the withheld January salaries as a confidence-building measure and to resume sincere and meaningful negotiations.

The union warned that failure to urgently address the matter could result in an escalation of the strike and a total shutdown of public health facilities nationwide, with severe consequences for millions of Nigerians who depend on public hospitals for healthcare services.