President Bola Tinubu has directed an exceptional last waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” order instituted against members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), following their 17-day industrial action between July 26 and August 12.
In a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu waived the order, invoking the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy, adding that he had also considered the faithful implementation of the terms agreement by both parties.
He, however, has tasked both the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to ensure it is clear to doctors that exceptional waiver would be the last that would be granted the association.
According to the statement, the exceptional waiver granted will, in effect, pave the way for the withheld part of salary to be released to members of the association.
He said,
“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.
“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 to be granted to the National Association of Resident Doctors and all other Health sector unions.”