…says they Should Engage in Dialogue
By Udesinanna Stephen
The Federal Government has cautioned members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) against their planned strike saying that their pay for those five days will be withheld.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige cautioned them in a statement signed by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, after being notified by NARD executive on the said strike.
The coming industrial action is targeted to commence by midnight of May 16.
The Minister of Labour said, the Government and employers of these doctors “have another right under Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, to withhold their pay for those five days. 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 warned.
Also, Ngige denied the claim by NARD that the Federal Government did not pay minimum wage consequential adjustment arrears to their members.
More so, Ngige advised the doctors to desist from the said strike and engage in social dialogue by attending a meeting with the Minister of Health today. “I will also advise them very strongly not to go on a five-day warning strike.” He added.