Resident doctors suspend planned strike
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned strike action scheduled for Monday, January 12, following the intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The doctors were to proceed on the strike due to what they called persistent failure of government to meet their demands.
These include the demand for the payment of promotion and salary arrears, return to collective bargaining agreement, failure to implement agreements reached earlier, among others.
Even before the intervention of the Vice President, the National Industrial Court in Abuja had granted an interim order restraining the resident doctors from going ahead with the strike.
This followed a case instituted against the doctors by the Federal Government. The government had also said it would implement the ‘no work, no pay’ policy if they proceed with the strike action.
Justice E. D. Subilim granted the interim injunction in a suit marked NICN/ABJ/06/2026, filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation against NARD.
However, the NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, told newsmen that they agreed to halt the strike following intervention of the vice president, and taking steps to address some of their demands.
“We have suspended the planned strike action for tomorrow because of the intervention of the vice president. The vice president called and entered into the matter, and a few of our issues have been sorted out,” Suleiman said.
He added that the vice president requested additional time to resolve the remaining demands. “So, he has asked for more time to sort out the other issues, and the NEC has graciously given him the time”
Suleiman said further details would be communicated to members and the public in due course.
“A more detailed communication will come up, but the strike is not holding on Monday,” he said.
