There does not seem to be an end in sight to the ongoing strike by members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The Industrial Court yesterday adjourned a suit filed against the striking doctors till September 15.
Last week, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, through the minister, Dr. Chris Ngige, sued the striking doctors for allegedly abdicating their responsibilities.
The court summoned the doctors to explain why the “no work, no pay” rule should not be applied against them.
The NARD began their indefinite strike on August 2, 2021, due to the failure of government to meet most of the union’s demands.
These include the withdrawal of the circular by the Head of Service removing House Officers from the scheme of service, and the transfer of NARD members from the GIFMIS platform to the IPPIS platform because of the hardship allegedly caused by the GIFMIS platform due to the delays in payment of their salaries, ranging from three to seven months.
Present in court were key members of the NARD and officials of the Federal Ministry of Health.
But officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment were absent.
Addressing reporters after the court adjourned the case, NARD President Osakhuesuyi Uyilawa said: “I want to deeply, on the behalf of all resident doctors in Nigeria, thank you wholeheartedly for the show of love and empathy towards our cause.
“We are not unaware of the sufferings you all are going through due to government’s insincerity of purpose. It is the 120 days today since we heeded your call to call off our industrial action, following the government’s memorandum of action.
“It is five years and 11 months since we signed the Memorandum of Terms of Settlement (MOTOS); yet, the government has reneged.
“As you are aware, today, the government sued us to the National Industrial Court (NIC) for abdication. As a law-abiding association, we were in court, as summoned. But the Ministry of Labour was absent, and only the Ministry of Health was present, representing the Federal Government. The case was adjourned till September 15, 2021.
“We once again appeal to Nigerians to bear with us because a hungry doctor is a dangerous doctor..”
Source: The Nation
