NARD Strike: FG Orders Attendance Registers In Teaching Hospitals

The Federal Government has reacted harshly to the defiance of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend their industrial actions.

NARD President, Dr Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa, had cited the inability of the Federal Government to meet the demands of the doctors as part of the reasons for the decision to go on strike.

Green White Green (GWG) recalls the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had in an interview on Channels TV said FG was ready to invoke the “no-work-no-pay” rule as contained in Section 43 of the Labour Act.

He also claimed to have communicated the ministry’s stance to the leadership of NARD.

In response, NARD President told The Punch; “We are aware that they are going to bring down registers tomorrow. We are aware that they have spoken to chief medical directors on that. We are aware they have sent a circular on no-work, no-pay to all teaching hospitals.

“We are not aware if they have answered our ultimatum. What have they done in trying to convince the younger ones to go back to work when they have not answered our Memorandum of Action which was signed on March 29 and April 9? So, these are the big questions.

“You are in government and you want to discipline a child, you beat the child but you still hold the mouth of the child to prevent him from crying out.

“You had 116 days since you signed a Memorandum of Action which was time-bound and you had six weeks but as of tomorrow it will be 117 days and you have not done anything. Will you bully your child that you have not paid for months and still want to impose a no-work, no-pay policy?

“He (Ngige) has already written to the chief medical directors of hospitals and we are aware they are invoking the no-work-no-pay policy already, but we are not resuming yet,” Okhuaihesuyi said.

Confirming the development, a senior health official said; “Government is determined to implement the no-work-no-pay order.

“As from tomorrow, attendance registers will be opened in all hospitals. Everybody will be paid based on attendance.”

GWG had earlier reported that the Rivers State Government also threatened Resident Doctors in the state to discontinue their industrial action or risk their salaries.

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) instructed its members across the country to embark on a total strike starting Monday, August 2.

In reaction, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, in a statement in Port Harcourt stated that there is no justification for doctors in the state to join the industrial action, noting the strike only concerns those in the employ of the federal government.

Danagogo said: “Sequel to the ongoing strike action by the Rivers State chapter of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) with respect to irregularities in the payment of salaries of house officers by the Federal Government, the Rivers State Government hereby directs all Resident Doctors under the employment of the State Government to call off its strike action immediately.

“Whereas the NARD has a right to go on strike, we expect that such should be restricted to Resident Doctors that are directly under the payroll of the Federal Government, particularly as the Rivers State Government does not owe salaries or benefits to resident doctors in the State. 

“We are therefore unable to decipher why Resident Doctors in the State will embark on sympathy strike with their counterparts in the employment of the Federal Government. 

“To this end, the Rivers State Government having reaffirmed its position with respect to the above, will not tolerate further strike actions by Resident Doctors in Rivers State and will be compelled to invoke the “No Work, No Pay” rule on striking house Officers. 

“We therefore direct all Resident Doctors to call off the ongoing strike in the State and return to work within 24hrs, or forfeit their salaries and risk being sacked.”

Likewise, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria had also threatened to repost house officers with no remuneration if they join the strike initiated by NARD.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG