The Nigerian government has declared that it will not pay salary to the striking Medical Doctors for the period the strike last, arguing that the country is the only one in the world where Doctors are on strike amidst the global pandemic,
Penpushing reports that, Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire made the declaration on Thursday during the 18th ministerial briefing, which was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).
‘No Work, No Pay’ rule isn’t a punitive measure against the striking doctors but an implementation of the provisions of law. Yes, but that’s the standard thing. ILO recommends that if you didn’t work, then why will you take your salary that comes from taxpayers’ money,he emphasised.
Penpushing further reports that, the Minister noted that embarking on an industrial action in the middle of an outbreak is “unconscionable”, and accused the Doctors of showing non-challance to the innocent Nigerians.
“We have said openly that this is not a good time for doctors to go on strike. We are having a strike for the third time this year; that is not good. Every country who has a difficult situation at this time should understand that responsibility is on all of us. If you have any problem, any grudges, let’s talk about it;, he added.
“I think Nigeria is probably the only country in the world today where doctors are dropping work in the middle of a threat to the whole country, Because if that is so, you can’t be encouraged to stay home for six months and your salary is running from public funds, from taxpayers’ money, or you have not given the community any service.”
Penpushing also reports that, the Minister appealed to the striking resident Doctors to return to work while talks continue on the areas of disagreement, stating that the government has not threatened them .
“You do not put people’s lives at risk. That is what the minister of labour is saying. Nobody has threatened anybody with anything.”
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige it is recalled, had last Friday accused the striking Doctors of taking the country for a ride and threatened them with sack by their various employers if the seven-day ultimatum he issued them expires
Meanwhile, the ultimatum expired on Monday, and inspite of Ngige sack threat, the Doctors declared that the strike which entered its 12th day on Friday would continue until the Nigerian government attend to their demands.
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