Thelma Osatohanmwen
President Bola Tinubu has waived the ‘no work, no pay’ policy imposed on members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
This is contained in the statement issued on a Friday by the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale.
According to Ngelale, President Tinubu’s decision to grant the waiver signifies a critical development in resolving the impasse between the government and the resident doctors, ensuring that their financial concerns during the strike are now being addressed.
NEWSTODAYNG gathered that this action was taken in response to the doctors’ decision to embark on a 17-day industrial strike commencing on July 26 due to the failure of the Federal Government to meet their demands.
In reaction to this strike, the government introduced the ‘no work, no pay’ directive on August 1 as a means to compel the medical professionals to return to their duties.
Following a series of deliberations and negotiations between the leadership of NARD and government representatives, the resident doctors officially terminated their strike on August 12.
However, this waiver’s primary purpose is to enable the doctors to receive the salaries that were withheld during the period of their strike action.
In his words , “Invoking the Principle of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy, President Bola Tinubu has approved the waiver of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ order that was instituted against striking members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on August 1, 2023, following the commencement of their industrial action which began on July 26, 2023.
“After several constructive engagements between the Federal Government and NARD, the Resident Doctors called off their strike on August 12, 2023. The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation was directed to withhold all salaries accrued by striking NARD members during the 17 days of their strike action.
“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, which will allow for the members of the NARD to receive the salaries which were previously withheld during the 17-day strike action.”