The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has thrown its weight behind the ongoing industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), warning that it may escalate the dispute into a nationwide strike if the Federal Government proceeds with plans to stop workers’ salaries.
JOHESU, an affiliate of the TUC, has been on strike since November 15, 2025, over unresolved welfare and remuneration issues.
Despite a directive from the Federal Government enforcing a “no work, no pay” policy, the union has instructed its members to remain at home.
The TUC’s position followed an emergency virtual meeting of its national leadership on Monday, January 12, held after the expiration of a 72-hour extension granted in the dispute.
The congress accused the government of attempting to intimidate health workers rather than addressing their grievances.
In a statement jointly signed by TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, N.A. Toro, the congress rejected a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare ordering the stoppage of JOHESU members’ salaries through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) from January 2026.
According to the TUC, the directive undermines ongoing negotiations between the government and health sector unions and violates established principles of industrial relations.
The congress described the move as unilateral and warned that it could further damage trust in the negotiation process.
The TUC said halting salaries would deepen the hardship faced by health workers, particularly in the context of rising inflation, fuel price increases and broader economic pressures affecting Nigerian workers.
The union leadership condemned what it called the “weaponisation” of IPPIS against workers, stressing that it would resist any attempt to force compliance through financial deprivation.
It argued that penalising health workers, whom it described as essential and life-saving professionals, was unjust and provocative.
The congress demanded the immediate withdrawal of the ministry’s circular, restoration of all withheld salaries and a return to negotiations within seven days.
It warned that failure to meet these demands would compel the TUC to mobilise workers across multiple sectors for collective action.
The development raises fresh concerns over the impact of the prolonged strike on public healthcare delivery, as tensions continue to mount between organised labour and the Federal Government.
