The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has thrown its weight behind the ongoing industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), rejecting the Federal Government’s enforcement of the “no work, no pay” policy against striking health workers.
JOHESU, an affiliate of the TUC, had directed its members to continue the strike that began on November 15, 2025, despite a directive by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to stop the payment of their salaries through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) from January 2026.
The decision followed an emergency virtual meeting of JOHESU’s national leadership on Monday, January 12, after the expiration of a 72-hour extension of the industrial action.
Reacting on Wednesday, the TUC criticised the Federal Government for what it described as attempts to intimidate health workers without regard for prevailing economic realities.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, the congress described the ministry’s circular enforcing the “no work, no pay” policy as unacceptable, provocative and a threat to ongoing negotiations between the government and health sector unions.
The TUC accused the ministry of acting unilaterally in violation of established industrial relations principles, insisting that negotiations were still in progress at the time the directive was issued.
“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria unequivocally, vehemently, 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 salaries of JOHESU members through IPPIS, effective January 2026,” the statement said.
“Congress states in the clearest terms that this action is a gross abuse of power, a deliberate sabotage of ongoing negotiations, and a flagrant violation of established industrial relations principles. You cannot negotiate with workers on one hand and unleash punishment with the other. This circular is not policy; it is intimidation.”
The congress warned that the stoppage of salaries would further compound the hardship faced by health workers amid rising inflation, fuel price increases and broader economic challenges.
Describing the move as “wicked, insensitive and profoundly unpatriotic,” the TUC said health workers who risk their lives daily should not be punished through salary stoppages.
It also cautioned against what it termed the “weaponisation” of IPPIS to pressure workers, vowing to resist any attempt to starve workers into submission.
The TUC demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the circular, restoration of all affected salaries, and a return to negotiations within seven days.
It warned that failure to reverse the decision within the stipulated timeframe would compel the congress to mobilise workers across multiple sectors for collective action.
