By Ovasa Ogaga,
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has outrightly rejected a directive by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare enforcing a “No Work, No Pay” policy and ordering the stoppage of salaries of members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) from January 2026.
The controversial circular, signed by the ministry’s Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Abisola Adegoke, followed the ongoing JOHESU strike, which commenced on November 15, 2025.
In a strongly worded statement issued Wednesday, jointly signed by TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, N.A. Toro, the congress described the directive as unacceptable, provocative and a blatant violation of established industrial relations principles.
The TUC accused the ministry of undermining ongoing negotiations with health sector unions and replacing dialogue with intimidation. It said the policy amounted to a gross abuse of power and a deliberate attempt to sabotage talks.
“You cannot negotiate with workers on one hand and unleash punishment with the other. This circular is not policy; it is intimidation,” the statement said.
The congress warned that salary stoppages would worsen the already harsh conditions faced by health workers amid inflation and rising fuel costs, describing the move as wicked, insensitive and unpatriotic.
TUC demanded the immediate withdrawal of the circular, restoration of affected salaries and a return to negotiations within seven days, warning that failure to comply would trigger nationwide industrial action.
