Following the implementation of the deal struck with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) over their recent strike, President Bola Tinubu has granted resident doctors what he said is the final waiver of the “no work, no pay” policy.
On August 12 of this year, the doctors ended their almost two-week strike after reaching an agreement with the federal government.
Their demands included the immediate payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), an upward revision of the Consolidated Medical wage Structure (CONMESS), and the payment of all wage arrears owed to its members since 2015.
Along with the immediate review of hazard allowance by all state governments and private tertiary health institutions with residency programmes for doctors, they also demanded the immediate massive recruitment of clinical staff in hospitals and the abolition of bureaucratic restrictions on the prompt replacement of doctors and nurses who leave the system.
Following the start of their industrial action on July 26, 2023, the “no work, no pay” decision was implemented against the striking NARD members on August 1, 2023.
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In “invoking the Principle of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy,” President Tinubu has accepted the waiver, according to a statement made on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity).
The statement stated that on August 12, 2023, the Resident Doctors ended their strike following many fruitful discussions between the federal government and NARD.
Additionally, it confirmed that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation had been instructed to withhold any pay that the striking NARD members had earned during the course of the strike action’s 17 days.
“In view of the faithful implementation of terms which were agreed upon during the fruitful deliberations between the Resident Doctors and the Federal Government of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has directed the grant of an exceptional last waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” Order on Resident Doctors, allowing the members of the NARD to receive the salaries which were previously withheld during the 17-day strike action,” it was added.
“The President has directed the grant of the waiver with a mandatory requirement that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment must secure a Document of Understanding (DoU) establishing that this exceptional waiver granted by the President will be the last one granted to the National Association of Resident Doctors and all other Health Sector Unions.”
