Labour Congress Warns of Nationwide Action as Health Workers’ Salaries Face Suspension
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has declared its full support for the ongoing industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), sharply criticising the Federal Government’s decision to enforce a “no work, no pay” policy against striking health workers.
JOHESU, an affiliate of the TUC, had directed its members to sustain the strike that commenced on November 15, 2025, following an emergency virtual meeting of its national leadership on Monday, January 12. The decision came after the expiration of a 72-hour strike extension granted to the government.
Reacting to the development, the TUC accused the Federal Government of attempting to intimidate health workers rather than addressing their grievances, especially amid worsening economic conditions across the country.
The congress strongly rejected a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which ordered the implementation of the “no work, no pay” policy and directed the stoppage of salaries of JOHESU members through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), effective January 2026.
In a statement released on Wednesday and jointly signed by TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, N.A. Toro, the labour centre described the directive as unacceptable and a direct threat to ongoing negotiations between the government and health sector unions.
According to the TUC, the ministry’s action violates established principles of industrial relations and amounts to unilateral decision-making at a time when dialogue is still in progress.
The congress warned that suspending the salaries of health workers would deepen the hardship already faced by workers due to rising inflation, increased fuel prices, and broader economic pressures.
“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria unequivocally and totally rejects the circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the so-called implementation of ‘No Work, No Pay’ and the stoppage of JOHESU members’ salaries through IPPIS,” the statement read.
It described the move as a gross abuse of power, a deliberate attempt to undermine negotiations, and a return to authoritarian labour practices incompatible with democratic governance.
“You cannot negotiate with workers on one hand and impose punishment on the other. This action is not policy; it is intimidation, and Congress will not accept it,” the statement added.
The TUC also cautioned against what it termed the “weaponisation” of IPPIS to penalise workers, insisting it would resist any attempt to force compliance through salary stoppages.
Describing the planned withholding of wages as “wicked, insensitive, and provocative,” the congress said it was particularly unjustifiable given the critical role health workers play in saving lives under difficult conditions.
The labour centre demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the circular, the restoration of all affected salaries, and a resumption of negotiations within seven days.
It further warned that failure by the Ministry of Health to reverse the decision within the stipulated timeframe would compel the TUC to mobilise workers across various sectors for collective industrial action.
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