TUC No Work No Pay dispute deepens as the congress rejects the Health Ministry order to stop JOHESU salaries from January 2026

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria on Wednesday rejected a controversial “No Work, No Pay” directive issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare ordering the stoppage of salaries of members of the Joint Health Sector Unions through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System from January 2026.

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The directive, contained in a circular signed by the Director of Hospital Services at the ministry, Dr Abisola Adegoke, instructed the immediate enforcement of the policy against JOHESU members who have been on strike since 15 November 2025.

In a statement jointly signed by the President of the congress, Festus Osifo, and the Secretary General, N.A. Toro, the organisation described the circular as unacceptable and accused the ministry of undermining ongoing negotiations.

The congress said the action violated established industrial relations principles and amounted to unilateral punishment while dialogue was still in progress.

The statement said the stoppage of salaries would deepen the hardship already faced by health workers amid inflation, rising fuel prices and broader economic pressure.

“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 members of the JOHESU through IPPIS, effective January 2026,” the statement said.

The congress described the circular as intimidation and warned that the use of IPPIS to penalise workers amounted to an abuse of state machinery.

The union demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the circular, the restoration of all affected salaries and a return to negotiations within seven days.

It warned that failure to reverse the decision within the timeframe would trigger mobilisation of workers across sectors for collective action.

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The congress also placed its affiliates, state councils and the Federal Capital Territory council on alert and directed them to remain on standby for further instructions.