Ngige Threatens To Invoke Weapons In Labour Laws Against Resident Doctors On Strike

Labour Minister Chris Ngige yesterday threatened to invoke the no work, no pay rule against striking members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) if they refuse to go back to their duty posts.

Ngige, who is a medical doctor himself, said on Channels Television that he is scheduled to meet representatives of the doctors on Tuesday for another meeting, and if they refuse to back down, he will not hesitate to stop their salaries.

The doctors embarked on an indefinite strike on Thursday over accumulated salaries and allowances.

He said: “Immediately after the holiday, I will talk to them again. I have told the medical council and accountant general what to do to make sure.

“Only 23 institutions are involved, not all institutions. I want to know what they (medical council and accountant general) have done by Tuesday.

“By Tuesday, I will invite them back. If they become recalcitrant, there are other things I can do. There are weapons in the labour laws, I will invoke them. There is no work, no pay.

“Their employers have a role also to keep their business afloat, to keep patients alive. They can employ local doctors. We won’t get there, but if we are going to get there, we will use that stick.”

Thenationonlineng.net