The Federal Government has directed all Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of Federal Tertiary Hospitals to enforce the “No-Work, No-Pay” rule, with effect from August 2, 2021, when the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) commenced their strike.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment under the leadership of Dr Chris Ngige, had on August 16, 2021 sued the striking doctors at the National Industrial Court for abdication of their responsibilities.
The Industrial Court therefore summoned the doctors to explain why the “No-Work, No-Pay” rule should not be applied against them. The court adjourned the suit by the government till September 15, giving ample room for conciliation.
However, the government has commenced the implementation of the “No-Work, No-Pay” rule while the case is still pending in court.
The doctors have therefore described the action of the government as flouting the rule of law, vowing to go to court.
The President of the NARD, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, told The Nation: “We attended the first National Industrial Court of Nigeria case hearing on August 16, wherein the government wrote that we should give them a reason why they should not apply the no work no pay rule. However the court now stated that the government should wait till on the 15th of September.
“The government has not waited and they have already applied what they were asking for. Therefore, they have flouted the rule of law. We will go to court. We will engage our legal counsel and follow it up.”