Strike continues as resident doctors oppose ‘no work, no pay’ rule

Contrary to initial hope that the ongoing industrial action by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) will be suspended today due to an agreement reportedly reached, it has emerged that the sustenance of ‘no work, no pay’ rule had truncated the resolution of the crisis.

The rule was introduced by the Federal Ministry of Health, obviously, to force the striking medics back to work.

The ministry also approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) to adjudicate on the legality or otherwise of the strike.

Speaking after a two-day meeting involving the ministry, Budget Office, National Salaries, Income and Wage Commission, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and NARD with the Ministry of Labour and Employment as a conciliator at the weekend in Abuja, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, confirmed that the withdrawal of ‘no work, no pay’ rule was not part of the negotiated items.