The Center for Labour Studies has said that the threat of ‘no work, no pay’ issued to striking doctors by the Federal Government has no basis in law.

DAILY POST recalls that medical doctors under the auspices of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) last week commenced a nationwide strike.

But, the Centre for Labour Studies, while reacting, described the “no work no pay” and dismissal threats issued to the striking doctors as illegal.

The center noted that the threats have no basis in law within the context of holistic interpretation of Section 41(1), Trade Disputes Act (TDA) and Section 30(6)(b) & (c) of the Trade Unions Act, TUA.

The threats being issued to the striking doctors, according to the centre, were mere products of impunity, abuse of office and insensitivity to the plight of the poor and the sick who are bearing the brunt of the strike forced on the doctors.

Spokesman of the centre, Barrister Femi Aborisade, who spoke on behalf of the center on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, insisted that the strike by the resident doctors is legal.

Aborisade added that the demands of NARD are essentially over violation of existing rights to pay, poor pay, non-payment of salaries and allowances.

He added that the demands are also essential due to violation of fundamental contractual terms and existing collective agreements, including threats of removal of some categories from the payroll.

He maintained that the striking doctors gave more than 15 days’ strike notice to the government before they eventually went on strike.

Aborisade told DAILY POST that “The Centre for Labour Studies (CLS) unequivocally declares support for the striking medical doctors organized under the National Association of Resident Doctors.

“Section 41(1) of the TDA only requires workers in essential services to give 15 days’ notice before strike. It does not absolutely prohibit strikes by workers in essential services. The NARD gave more than 15 days’ strike notice. The demands are not new.

“The demands of the NARD are essentially over violation of existing rights to pay, poor pay, non-payment of salaries and allowances, violation of fundamental contractual terms and existing collective agreements, including threats of removal of some category from the payroll.

“Within the provisions of the law which allow strikes over dispute of rights, provided 15 days’ notice is given, it would be unjust, inequitable and unsustainable for the law to allow application of Section 43, TDA on “no work, no pay”.

“The threats being issued to the striking doctors are therefore mere products of impunity, abuse of office and insensitivity to the plight of the poor and the sick who are bearing the brunt of the strike forced on the doctors.

“We call on the medical doctors to continue their strike, which is aimed at salvaging the collapsed healthcare system for the benefit of the masses. We equally call on the NLC, TUC, workers and their organisations, and the downtrodden Nigerian people to support the NARD strike.”

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