President Bola Tinubu has waived the ‘no work, no pay’ policy imposed on members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The doctors began a 17-day strike on July 26 after the Federal Government failed to accept their requests. On August 1, the government issued a ‘no work, no pay’ order to persuade the professionals to return to work.
The resident doctors put off their strike on August 12 after a series of discussions with NARD leadership and government authorities.
However, presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale stated on Friday that the waiver will allow the doctors to receive their salaries that were withheld during the strike action.
“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,” the statement read.
“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.”
