There is nothing like a warning strike, If you don’t work, there will be no pay – Ngige tells Resident Doctors

The Nigerian government has called on the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to reconsider its planned warning strike, which was set to commence on May 17. In response to a letter from the NARD executive notifying the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, about the impending industrial action, the minister warned that the “no work no pay” rule would be enforced if the strike proceeded as planned.

Ngige, having consulted with the Minister of Health, revealed that a meeting had been arranged with the doctors today to address their concerns. He advised the doctors to take advantage of this opportunity for dialogue with their employer instead of embarking on an illegal warning strike. The minister emphasized that the federal government has the authority to withhold the salaries of the doctors during the strike period.

Furthermore, Ngige stated that the funds allocated for the doctors’ salaries could be utilized to employ ad-hoc workers in teaching hospitals to maintain essential services during the strike. The government aims to ensure that the healthcare system continues to function effectively despite the industrial action.

He said; “I will advise them to attend the meeting with the Minister of Health tomorrow. I will also advise them very strongly not to go on a five-day warning strike. There is nothing like a warning strike. A strike is a strike.

“If they want to take that risk, the options are there. It is their decision. They have the right to strike. You cannot deny them that right. But their employer has another right under Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, to withhold their pay for those five days.

“So, if the NARD has strike funds to pay their members for those five days, no problem. The Health Minister will instruct the teaching hospitals to employ adhoc people for those five days and they will use the money of the people who went on strike to pay the adhoc doctors.

“That is the ILO principles at decent work, especially for those rendering essential services. Lives should be protected.

“One of my sons is a resident doctor. I will advise him to go to work and sign the attendance register. The people seen at work are the ones to receive their pay. If you don’t work, their will be no pay.”