‘Withdraw No Work, No Pay Circular’ – TUC Gives Health Ministry Seven Day Ultimatum

‘Withdraw No Work, No Pay Circular’ – TUC Gives Health Ministry Seven Day Ultimatum
Union demands withdrawal of No Work No Pay circular
Nationwide industrial action threatened if demands are ignored

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has issued a seven day ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to withdraw its “No Work, No Pay” circular and immediately restore the salaries of members of the Joint Health Sector Unions.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the TUC warned that failure to comply would trigger 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 union described the directive as reckless, authoritarian and confrontational.

The circular, issued by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Abisola Adegoke, reportedly ordered the stoppage of JOHESU salaries through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System from January 2026.

“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 said.

The TUC said the directive amounted to a declaration of hostility against Nigerian health workers who continue to shoulder the burden of the country’s struggling healthcare system under difficult conditions.

The union accused the ministry of acting in bad faith by imposing sanctions while claiming to be engaged in negotiations.

“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,” the TUC stated.

It described the stoppage of salaries as wicked, insensitive, provocative and unpatriotic, especially amid economic hardship, inflation and rising fuel prices.

“These are workers who save lives daily. To deny them their salaries is to punish sacrifice and reward suffering,” the union added.

The TUC warned against what it called the weaponisation of IPPIS to force workers into submission, insisting that Nigerian workers would not surrender their rights under threats or hunger.

The union demanded an immediate withdrawal of the circular, restoration of all affected salaries and a return to negotiations 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,” it warned.

The TUC said it has placed all its national structures on alert and directed its affiliates, including the 36 state councils and the FCT council, to stand by for further directives.