Doctors on operation
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Nigerian Federal Government has issued a stern warning to members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), urging them to reconsider their planned five-day warning strike.
Sen. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, conveyed this message shortly after receiving a notification letter from the NARD executive regarding the impending strike.
In an official statement signed by Mr Olajide Oshundun, the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, the planned strike was deemed illegal.
Minister Ngige, in response to the letter delivered to his office on the same day, disclosed that he had been in contact with the Minister of Health, who informed him that a meeting with the resident doctors had been scheduled for the following day.
Ngige advised the doctors to take advantage of the opportunity for dialogue with their employer rather than embarking on a warning strike, which he declared as unrecognized by the law.
He encouraged them to attend the meeting with the Minister of Health on Wednesday and emphasized that there is no provision for a warning strike.
If the doctors choose to go ahead with the strike, their employer holds the right, as per Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, to withhold their pay for the duration of the strike.
The Minister proposed that the teaching hospitals would be instructed to employ adhoc staff to cover the five-day period, using the funds of those who went on strike to remunerate the temporary staff.
This approach aligns with the principles of decent work outlined by the International Labour Organization (ILO), especially in essential service sectors where lives must be protected.
Regarding the five demands put forth by the doctors, Ngige clarified that the Federal Government does not have the authority to compel states to implement the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
As health falls within the residual list, both the federal and state governments possess legislative powers. While the Federal Government formulates policies, individual states have the freedom to establish their own policies.
The Minister highlighted that the immediate payment of the MRTF to doctors had been budgeted for in 2023 but had not yet been disbursed due to the ongoing execution of the 2022 budget.
He assured that all payments related to the 2022 budget had been settled. Ngige also refuted NARD’s claim that the Federal Government had not paid minimum wage consequential adjustment arrears, stating that all workers in the Education, Health, and Defense sectors had benefited from the adjustment.
Dr. Chris Ngige
Ngige emphasized that the issue of non-payment by some states should not warrant a nationwide strike, as the federal government cannot intervene in state matters.
Furthermore, he stressed that the Executive arm of government could not interfere with the private member’s bill at the National Assembly to bind doctors for five years, as it would infringe upon the autonomy and independence of the legislative arm.
While acknowledging the ongoing negotiations between the Nigeria Medical Association, the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, and the Presidential Committee on Salaries regarding pay rise for doctors, Ngige advised against discussing a 200% pay increase, deeming it infeasible.
He also pointed out that consultant doctors were already engaged in negotiations with the government, making it incongruous for student doctors to embark on a strike.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the resident doctors will heed the government’s warning and opt for constructive dialogue to address their concerns rather than proceeding with the planned strike.
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