By Ayo Kehinde
A major confrontation between organised labour and the federal government appears imminent as the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has placed its affiliates nationwide on standby over the suspension of salaries of members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The TUC, in a statement jointly signed by its President General, Comrade Engr. Festus Osifo, and the Secretary General, Comrade N.A. Toro, rejected a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare directing the implementation of the “No Work, No Pay” policy and the stoppage of JOHESU members’ salaries through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), effective January 2026.
Describing the directive as “reckless, authoritarian and confrontational”, the Congress said the action amounted to a declaration of hostility against Nigerian workers, particularly health sector employees who continue to operate under harsh and challenging conditions amid a strained healthcare system.
The circular, signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Abisola Adegoke, was condemned by the TUC as 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”, the Congress stated, adding that the circular was not a policy decision but an act of intimidation, which organised labour would not accept.
TUC further described the stoppage of salaries as wicked, insensitive and provocative, especially at a time when Nigerian workers are battling inflation, rising fuel prices and worsening economic hardship.
Warning against what it termed the weaponisation of IPPIS to punish workers, the Congress said it would resist any attempt to starve workers into submission, stressing that Nigerian workers have historically defended their rights in the face of intimidation and threats.
Issuing a final and non-negotiable demand, the TUC called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the circular, restore all affected salaries, and return to the negotiation table within seven days.
It warned that failure to reverse the decision within the stipulated period would compel the Congress to mobilise workers across sectors for decisive collective action.
The TUC also placed all its affiliates, the 36 state councils and the Federal Capital Territory council on red alert, directing them to remain on standby for further directives.
The Congress reaffirmed solidarity with JOHESU and Nigerian workers, declaring that any industrial unrest that may follow would rest squarely on the shoulders of the government.
“An injury to one is an injury to all”, it declared.
