The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare directing the implementation of a “No Work, No Pay” policy and the stoppage of salaries of members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), effective January 2026.
The circular, signed by the Director of Hospital Services at the ministry, Dr. Abisola Adegoke, ordered the enforcement of the policy following the continuation of the JOHESU strike, which began on November 15, 2025.
In a statement released on Wednesday and jointly signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, N.A. Toro, the TUC described the directive as unacceptable, accusing the ministry of undermining ongoing negotiations between the government and health sector unions.
According to the congress, the decision violates established industrial relations principles and amounts to a unilateral action taken while talks are still in progress.
The TUC warned that the stoppage of salaries would worsen the hardship faced by health workers amid rising inflation, fuel price hikes and broader economic challenges.
“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.
“It represents a return to command-and-control labour administration, which has no place in a democratic society. You cannot negotiate with workers on one hand and unleash punishment with the other. This circular is not policy; it is intimidation, and Congress will not accept it.”
The TUC also condemned what it described as the weaponisation of IPPIS to punish workers, warning that it would resist any attempt to pressure workers through salary stoppages.
“The stoppage of salaries of JOHESU members, workers who daily save lives, is wicked, insensitive, provocative, and profoundly unpatriotic, especially at a time when Nigerian workers are already being crushed by inflation, fuel price hikes, and economic hardship imposed by government policies,” the congress stated.
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 period would force the congress to mobilise workers across sectors for collective action.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare must immediately and unconditionally withdraw this circular, restore all affected salaries, and return to the negotiation table within seven days. Failure to rescind this decision will compel Congress to mobilise Nigerian workers across sectors for decisive collective action,” the statement added.
The TUC also placed its affiliates, state councils and the Federal Capital Territory council on alert, directing them to remain on standby for further instructions.
Elijah Adeyemi