The federal government has asked the management of federal tertiary hospitals to invoke the no-work-no-pay policy against striking members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The directive was contained in a circular dated August 1, 2023, signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Andrew Noah and titled “Re: Incessant Strike Action by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors: Implementation of ‘No work, No pay’ policy of the Federal Government.”
In the letter, the government expressed disappointment that the doctors went on strike despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue through meetings with various stakeholders, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the National Assembly.
It then instructed the hospitals to implement the ‘no work, no pay’ policy and also keep an attendance register for resident doctors who are willing to continue working despite the strike.
“I am directed to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Health has instituted the policy of ‘No work, No Pay’ against the striking resident doctors in line with circular Ref. No.58598/8.1/II/182 dated June 22, 2016,” the letter read in part.
“I am further directed to request you to maintain an attendance register for all residents willing to work and furnish the ministry of such names on a monthly basis.”
Under Nigerian law, workers’ unions on strike are typically entitled to their full salaries. However, the government can invoke the “no work, no pay” rule if it deems the strike illegal or unjustified.
Recall that resident doctors embarked on an indefinite industrial action on 26 July following what they described as the failure of the Nigerian government to meet their demands.
The doctors are demanding, among other issues, the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), tangible steps on the “upward review” of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and payment of all salary arrears owed its members, since 2015.
The doctors also want immediate massive recruitment of clinical staff in the hospitals and abolishment of the bureaucratic limitations to the immediate replacement of doctors and nurses who leave the system.
They also want the immediate review of hazard allowance by all the state governments as well as private tertiary health institutions where any form of residency training is done.