Victor Ezeja
Nigerian government has threatened to implement “no work no pay” policy if resident doctors continue with their seven-day warning strike nationwide.
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) declared the strike to demand the release of their colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who has been held by kidnappers for eight months.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelDr Popoola, a mother of five, who works at National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted alongside her husband and nephew on the night of 27 December 2023.
The husband was released in March after ransom was paid. The kidnappers are reportedly asking for ₦40 million before they can release Dr Popoola.
Worried about the situation, the resident doctors embarked on a seven-day nationwide strike to demand actions from the government towards securing release of the ophthalmologist.
With the strike having entered day 3 and all negotiations to make the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), suspend it failed, the Federal Government said it would in line with extant labour laws, “evoke ‘Work, No Pay’ for the number of days the strike was observed.”
This means cutting salaries of resident doctors for the number of days they did not work in observance of the strike.
This decision was made known in a statement released on Thursday, 29 August, signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and PR, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The Ministry expressed disappointment over the Resident Doctors’ decision to embark on a seven-day warning strike, disregarding all negotiations and efforts by the Federal Government to resolve their concerns and ensure continued industrial harmony.
The Ministry assured that it will not relent in its efforts to guarantee the safety, improve the welfare, and working conditions of all healthcare workers, including resident doctors.
The statement said the government has demonstrated good faith by addressing many of the concerns highlighted by NARD, adding that over the past months, the Ministry, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, “have been working tirelessly to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of Dr Ganiyat Popoola.”
It added that High-level discussions and coordinated efforts are currently underway and remains confident that these measures will lead to a positive outcome.
With the efforts so far, the Ministry said it finds the decision of resident doctors to proceed with the strike action, in the midst of the ongoing discussions, “deeply regrettable,” adding that it believes 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 the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (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. This measure is not intended to undermine the legitimate concerns of our medical professionals but to ensure that essential healthcare services are not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the public.
“We encourage all resident doctors to return to the negotiation table so that we can collaboratively find lasting solutions to the challenges facing our 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.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
