The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, OON,has appealed to the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) currently on a 5 – day “warning strike” that commenced today, May 11, 2016, to resume duty in the affected hospitals and clinics, in the interest of their patients and the Nation in general.
He advised them to embrace and utilize the mechanisms of the on – going social dialogue with Government on the issues of concern to its members which have not been exhausted before resorting to any form of industrial action. This is even more compelling when these issues are still being discussed with the National Assembly (NASS).
The Minister observed that the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) being the Parent body of NARD should join in the appeal to its affiliate, to call off its on – going “warning Strike” and ensure that due process is followed and complied with by its affiliate. Due process also involves negotiating parties respecting of all laws contingent to the negotiation.
Sen. Ngige drew the attention of the striking members of NARD to the essential nature of their duties to humanity especially as spelt out in the Labour Laws, stressing the need for the members of NARD to be mindful of their Hippocratic oath while pursuing their relative happiness.
Samuel Olowookere
