Doctors’ strike: FG threatens to invoke ‘No Work, No Pay’ rule
Says all hands on deck to rescue Popoola
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has expressed disappointment over the seven-day warning strike embarked on by Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), despite negotiations and plea attempts by the Federal Government to address its concerns and ensure continued industrial harmony.
Consequently, government has threatened to evoke the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy for the number of days the strike was observed, in line with extant labour laws.
However, Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa, has appealed to NARD to call off the strike, since government is working hard to rescue their kidnapped colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola.
Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health, Ado Bako, stated in Abuja, yesterday, that the measure was not intended to undermine the legitimate concerns of the medical professionals, but to ensure that essential healthcare services were not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the public.
Bako stated that significant strides had been made in recent negotiations, and that the government demonstrated good faith by addressing many of the concerns highlighted by NARD.
He recalled that over the past months, the ministry, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), had been working tirelessly to ensure the safe rescue of Popoola, adding that high-level discussions and coordinated efforts were underway, and that government remained confident that the measures would lead to a positive outcome.
The statement reads, “The ministry finds the decision to proceed on this strike action, in the midst of ongoing discussions, deeply regrettable. We believe that continued dialogue is the best approach to resolving any outstanding issues.
“In view of this, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare wishes to bring to the notice of NARD that, in line with extant labour laws, the Federal Government will evoke the ‘No Work, No Pay’ for the number of days the strike was observed. ”
The ministry encouraged the resident doctors to return to the negotiation table to address the challenges facing the healthcare sector. “As always, the ministry remains open to constructive dialogue and is committed to working together with all stakeholders to achieve a fair and sustainable resolution. The ministry will not relent in its efforts to guarantee the safety, improve the welfare and working conditions of all healthcare workers, including resident doctors,” he added.
NAN reports that Alausa made the appeal to NARD during his visit, yesterday, to the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, where Popoola was serving before her abduction on December 27, 2023, alongside her husband and nephew.
On August 26, 2024, NARD commenced industrial action to demand the rescue of Popoola, a Registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the centre. While her husband was released in March after discussions with the abductors, Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
Alausa said the Federal Government and security agencies were ramping up efforts to rescue Popoola.
“We are on top of the matter and have been in communication with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, regarding the issue,” he said. “I have spoken with the Commissioner of Police, and everyone is working hard to see that she is released.”
The minister added that he met with NARD leadership on Monday to persuade them to end the strike.
“We don’t believe this warning strike will do anything. All hands are on deck to secure her release,” he said. “For the past two days, we know she is alive, and that is good news for us, as the security forces work hard to bring her back alive.”
According to the minister, the kidnappers have been changing their demands frequently. However, Chairman of NARD at the centre, Ibrahim Mohammed, said “the strike is still on”, adding that medical and dental consultants joined the strike as directed by the national body.
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