The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has criticised the federal government for stopping the salaries of members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) who are currently on strike, under the “no work, no pay” policy.
On January 9, the Federal Ministry of Health issued a directive instructing chief medical directors and medical directors of federal hospitals to withhold the salaries of striking JOHESU members.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja, TUC President, Festus Osifo, described the decision as provocative and a violation of accepted industrial relations practices.
Osifo criticised a circular from the Ministry of Health that ordered the salary stoppage through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), describing it as reckless and an attempt to intimidate health workers.
He said the circular amounted to punishment rather than policy, stressing that the TUC would not accept negotiations taking place while workers were being sanctioned.
According to him, stopping the salaries of health workers who save lives daily was cruel, insensitive and unpatriotic, especially in the face of worsening economic conditions.
The TUC president said the action undermined ongoing talks between the government and organised labour, noting that meaningful dialogue cannot happen alongside punitive measures.
He added that health workers have continued to keep the healthcare system running despite poor working conditions and should not be punished for failures beyond their control.
Osifo also warned that the salary stoppage could worsen hardship at a time when inflation and fuel prices are rising.
He described the use of IPPIS to withhold workers’ salaries as an abuse of government power, saying organised labour would resist it.
According to him, Nigerian workers have always stood firm against intimidation and hunger, and threats would not force them to back down.
Osifo demanded the immediate withdrawal of the circular and the full, unconditional payment of all withheld salaries.
He also called on the Ministry of Health to return to the negotiation table within seven days to prevent industrial unrest, warning that failure to do so would lead the TUC to mobilise workers nationwide for decisive action.
He added that the ministry would be held responsible for any disruption in services, as it chose confrontation instead of dialogue, noting that all TUC affiliates, state councils and the Federal Capital Territory council have been placed on red alert.
