Tinubu ends “No Work, No Pay” policy, grants waiver for resident doctors

President Bola Tinubu has granted a waiver for the striking members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), ending the “No Work, No Pay” policy that has been imposed on them since August 1, 2023. The president made this decision in recognition of the faithful implementation of the terms that were agreed upon between the federal government and NARD, which led to the suspension of their industrial action on August 12, 2023.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, announced this in a statement on Friday, October 20, 2023. He said that the president invoked the Principle of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy to approve the waiver, which will allow the resident doctors to receive their salaries that were withheld during the 17-day strike action.

The statement also said that the president directed the grant of the waiver with a mandatory requirement that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment must secure a Document of Understanding (DoU) establishing that this exceptional waiver will be the last one to be granted to NARD and all other health sector unions.

The resident doctors embarked on a nationwide strike on July 26, 2023, over issues such as non-payment of salaries and allowances, poor working conditions, a lack of medical equipment, and inadequate training opportunities. The strike affected many public hospitals across the country, causing hardship for patients and their relatives.

The federal government and NARD held several meetings to resolve the dispute, with the intervention of some state governors and other stakeholders. The parties reached an agreement on August 12, 2023, which included the payment of outstanding salaries and allowances, the provision of life insurance cover for health workers, the improvement of medical facilities and infrastructure, and the regularisation of the appointment of resident doctors.

The president’s approval of the waiver is expected to boost the morale of the resident doctors and enhance their service delivery to Nigerians. It is also expected to foster a cordial relationship between the federal government and NARD, as well as other health sector unions.