The Federal Government has warned members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to shelve their planned five-day warning strike, describing it as illegal.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige issued the warning on Tuesday shortly after receiving a letter from the NARD executive, notifying him of the impending industrial action, billed to commence at midnight.
According to a statement by the ministry’s Director, Press and Public Relations, Olajide Oshundun, the letter dated May 16, 2023 was delivered to his office around 5 pm on the same day.
Upon receiving the letter, Ngige was said to have contacted the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who informed him that a meeting had been scheduled by his office with the resident doctors for Wednesday, May 17.
The labour minister advised the doctors to avail themselves of the opportunity for social dialogue with their employer, rather than embark on a warning strike, arguing that it was unknown to the law.
“I will advise them to attend the meeting with the Minister of Health tomorrow,” he was quoted as saying. “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.”
Ngige cautioned that if they wanted to take the risk, the options were 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,” he said.
“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 ad hoc people for those five days and they will use the money of the people who went on strike to pay the ad hoc doctors.”
He cited the International Labour Organization (ILO) principles at decent work, especially for those rendering essential services, adding that lives should be protected.
