The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to withdraw its “No Work, No Pay” circular and restore the salaries of members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
Naijaonpoint reports that the TUC has warned that failure to comply will lead to mass industrial resistance across the country.
In a joint statement signed by the President-General of the TUC, Festus Osifo, and the Secretary-General, N. A. Toro, the “No Work, No Pay” directive was described as “reckless, authoritarian, and confrontational”.
The circular, which was issued by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Abisola Adegoke, and instructs the stoppage of JOHESU salaries via the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) from January 2026, was sharply criticised.
“This action is a gross abuse of power, a deliberate sabotage of ongoing negotiations, and a flagrant violation of established industrial relations principles,” the statement read.
TUC emphasised that the circular amounted to a direct declaration of hostility against Nigerian workers, particularly health workers, who have been carrying the burden of the country’s failing healthcare system under difficult conditions.
The TUC also accused the Ministry of being contradictory, stating that while it engages in negotiations with workers, it simultaneously imposes sanctions on them.
“You cannot negotiate with workers on one hand and unleash punishment on the other. This circular is not policy; it is intimidation, and Congress will not accept it,” TUC asserted.
The union condemned the stoppage of JOHESU salaries as “wicked, insensitive, provocative, and profoundly unpatriotic”, especially in light of the country’s ongoing economic hardship, rising inflation, and fuel price increases.
“These are workers who save lives daily. To deny them their salaries is to punish sacrifice and reward suffering,” the TUC said.
The TUC also warned against what it described as the “weaponisation of IPPIS” to punish workers, pointing out that using state machinery to starve workers into submission is unacceptable.
“History has shown that Nigerian workers do not surrender their rights under threats or hunger,” the union added.
The union issued a final and non-negotiable demand that the Ministry must withdraw the circular, restore all affected salaries, and return to the negotiation table within seven days.
“Failure to rescind this decision within the stipulated period will compel Congress to mobilise Nigerian workers across sectors for decisive collective action,” TUC warned.
The union further stated that any disruption in services or industrial action that follows will be the responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Health and its leadership.
“Let it be placed on record that any industrial tension, disruption of services or nationwide action that may follow rests squarely on the shoulders of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, who have chosen confrontation over dialogue,” TUC declared.
TUC announced that it had placed all of its nationwide structures on alert in preparation for further actions. The union directed all affiliates, as well as the 36 state councils and the FCT council, to remain on standby for further directives.
Reaffirming its solidarity with JOHESU, the TUC vowed to resist any form of intimidation and confront injustice wherever it arises.
“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria stands shoulder-to-shoulder with JOHESU and all Nigerian workers. We will resist oppression, reject intimidation, and confront injustice wherever it rears its head. Enough is enough. An injury to one is an injury to all,” TUC declared.