The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has set a seven-day deadline for the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, insisting that the ministry must rescind its 'no work, no pay' directive that impacts members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
Should the ministry fail to comply, the TUC has warned of a broad-based reaction from organized labor across Nigeria.
In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, the TUC criticized the directive and the suspension of salaries for JOHESU members via the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), labeling it as “reckless, authoritarian, and confrontational.”
The press statement was co-signed by TUC’s President, Festus Osifo, along with Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro.
The TUC emphasized that the circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which was validated by the Director of Hospital Services, Abisola Adegoke, equates to a declaration of hostility against Nigerian workers, especially health professionals confronted by what they described as “unbearable conditions.”
According to the Congress, enforcing this policy while negotiations are in progress constitutes a severe abuse of authority and breaches established principles within industrial relations.
The TUC articulated the stance that “you cannot negotiate with workers while simultaneously issuing punitive measures,” characterizing the circular as intimidation rather than a legitimate policy.
Additionally, the Congress condemned the cessation of salaries for striking health workers, calling it “cruel, insensitive, and provocative,” particularly amid escalating inflation, rising fuel prices, and wider economic difficulties.
Warnings were issued by the TUC against what they term the “weaponization” of IPPIS to penalize employees, underscoring that organized labor will resist any efforts to coerce workers into submission.
They called for the immediate and unconditional retraction of the circular, the reinstatement of affected salaries, and a return to negotiations within the stipulated seven-day period.
Failure to satisfy these conditions, the Congress warned, would compel mobilization of workers across various sectors to undertake “decisive collective action.”
TUC’s statement indicated that all affiliates, as well as the 36 state councils alongside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council, should be on heightened alert and ready for further instructions.
The TUC’s warning arose following the government’s directive on January 8, which mandated strict enforcement of the 'no work, no pay' policy against JOHESU members and other health workers involved in the ongoing strike occurring nationwide.
The government’s circular, directed at chief medical directors and medical directors of federal health institutions, advised management to apply this directive starting in January 2026, citing the continuation of the JOHESU strike that commenced on November 15, 2025.
Moreover, the ministry instructed health facilities to maintain critical services such as emergency care, labor wards, and intensive care units through lawful approaches, which might include the employment of temporary staff.
In spite of this directive, JOHESU has reaffirmed its commitment to the strike, asserting that they will not resume work until their demands are adequately addressed.
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