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‘I’ve warned my sons not to join the nonsense strike by doctors’ —Ngige

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Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Doctor Chris Nwabueze Ngige, on Friday, referred to the ongoing work-to-rule action by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) as a “nonsense strike.”

Ngige spoke while fielding questions on Channels Television program, Politics Today.

He said: “There is no justification for the strike action by NARD. The government has met nearly all of its demands. It is unacceptable that Nigerian doctors would promote local issues at State levels as national, and call for the withdrawal of services.

“I have two sons who are medical doctors and I have warned them not to join this nonsense strike.”

READ ALSO: Nigerian govt directs doctors to resume work, says states responsible for most demands

Ngige went on to threaten the striking doctors with sanctions saying, “It is no work, no pay. Every new NARD President seems to see the call for the withdrawal of services at the slightest excuse as an accomplishment. No more kid gloves.

“I will wean NARD of these strikes which they consider as milk to feed on. An employer has a right to replace an employee who abandons their duties, especially on essential services.

“He will also withdraw your money and use it to pay those he has acquired during the period you were away.

“If you go to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) principles at work, it guarantees a worker the right to strike but it has consequences.”

 

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