TUC threatens nationwide action over ‘No Work, No Pay’ order
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has threatened nationwide industrial action over the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s directive on “No Work, No Pay” and the planned stoppage of salaries of members of the Joint Health Sector Unions through IPPIS from January 2026.
In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, the TUC rejected the circular outright, describing it as “reckless, authoritarian, and confrontational,” and accusing the ministry of declaring hostility against Nigerian workers, particularly health workers.
The congress said the circular, signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Abisola Adegoke, amounted to “a gross abuse of power” and “a deliberate sabotage of ongoing negotiations,” adding that it violated established industrial relations principles.
According to TUC, the directive represents a return to command-and-control labour administration, which has no place in a democratic society, warning that government cannot negotiate with workers while simultaneously imposing punishment.
“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) 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 members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) through IPPIS, effective January 2026.
“This reckless, authoritarian, and confrontational circular, signed by Dr. Abisola Adegoke, Director of Hospital Services, is a direct declaration of hostility against Nigerian workers, particularly health workers who have continued to carry the burden of a collapsing healthcare system under unbearable conditions.
“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.
“Let it be clearly understood: 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 statement reads
The union condemned the stoppage of salaries of JOHESU members as “wicked, insensitive, provocative, and profoundly unpatriotic,” especially amid rising inflation, fuel price hikes and worsening economic hardship facing Nigerian workers.
It also warned against what it called the weaponization of IPPIS to punish workers, saying such action was an abuse of state machinery and insisting that workers would not be starved into submission.
TUC issued what it described as a final and non-negotiable demand,” calling on the ministry to immediately and unconditionally withdraw this circular, restore all affected salaries, and return to the negotiation table within seven days.
“The TUC warns that the weaponization of IPPIS to punish workers is an abuse of state machinery, and Congress will resist any attempt to starve workers into submission. History has shown, clearly and repeatedly, that Nigerian workers do not surrender their rights under threats or hunger.
We therefore issue a final and non-negotiable demand:
“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 (7) days of this release.
“Failure to rescind this decision within the stipulated period will compel Congress to mobilize Nigerian workers across sectors for decisive collective action. Government should not miscalculate the patience of workers or underestimate the capacity of organized labour to defend its members.
“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 and its leadership, who have chosen confrontation over dialogue.”
The congress warned that failure to comply would lead to decisive collective action across sectors, announcing that all affiliates of Congress, as well as the thirty-six State Councils and the FCT Council, are hereby placed on red alert and directed to remain on standby for further directives.
“Accordingly, all affiliates of Congress, as well as the thirty-six (36) State Councils and the FCT Council, are hereby placed on red alert and directed to remain on standby for further directives.
“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.” The statement reads in parts.
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