National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has condemned the Federal Government’s threat to activate the “no work, no pay” rule in Section 43 of the Labour Act.
The union described the move as shameful.
The resident doctors chided the government for failing to pay the doctors and devising creative means to implement the agreement it signed over 116 days ago.
NARD called for the resignation of Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and his Labour and Employment counterpart, Dr. Chris Ngige on the grounds that “they cannot deliver”.
On August 2, 2021, the resident doctors started an indefinite strike over alleged Federal Government’s failure to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with doctors over 116 days ago on 12 of their demands.
NARD President Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi told The Nation during an interview: “It is a pity that we live in a country that does not appreciate the rule of law and the rights of those in authority. You are owing four months’ salary and you want to invoke ‘no work, no pay’. You signed a Memorandum of Action (MoA) and you did not honour it.
“In a country that knows what they are doing, the government tries to do their part to make things work. If you have the power to sign something over 116 days ago and you cannot deliver it, then you should leave your position. In other climes, that is what they do. If you know you cannot function well, you should honourably resign.
“You are trying to use your power to punish people you have not paid. You are beating a child and asking that he or she should not cry. It is shameful.”
