The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Action (MoA) with the protesting Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Saturday, April 10, 2021, to end the ongoing strike.
The MoA was the second in less than a week. The first one, signed on March 31, was later refused by the protesting Doctors.
Sen. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Jobs, said that the new MoA was signed after a conciliatory meeting between representatives of the Federal Government and NARD.
Ngige stated that Saturday’s meeting was needed to amend the first Memorandum of Understanding signed with the doctors.
He said that there were inconsistencies in the payment of House Officers’ wages, adding that although some received double payments, while some were not paid.
“In light of this case, a five-member committee has been formed to harmonise the list of affected officers, and they have 72 hours to provide a correct list.”
“The list will be forwarded to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System through the Federal Ministry of Health,” said Ngige.
He stated that health institutions that were impacted by the non-payment of payroll shortfalls between 2014 and 2016, as well as arrears resulting from the subsequent increase to the National Minimum Wage, had been directed to forward their workforce strength.
This is to allow us to incorporate this in the supplementary budget for 2021,” he said.
Read Also: my-team-would-have-done-better-if-not-for-nsf-postponement-says-kwara-coach
The minister stated that the issue of Hazard Allowance was not exclusive to NARD participants, but that it affected the entire healthcare system.
He stated that on April 12, 2021, the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) would meet with the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wage Commission to discuss the Hazard Allowance problem.
The minister went on to say that the NMA, the Joint Health Sector Unions, the NARD, and other stakeholders will meet with the PCS on April 14, 2021, with position papers on the subject.
Ngige urged NARD to call off the strike in order to give the conciliation process a chance for labour harmony to prevail.
Dr Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa, President of NARD, vowed to present the new deal to members in order to end the strike.
Recall that on April 1, 2021, resident doctors started a national strike in order to demand better welfare packages.
