Foremost human rights lawyers and activists, Femi Falana and
Femi Aborisade, will be leading the legal team for the Nigerian Association of
Resident Doctors in their ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government.
The President of NARD, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, disclosed
this to PUNCH on Monday.
Okhuaihesuyi noted that Falana is interested in helping the
health workers to fight brain drain in the country.
“They are leading the legal team and they have been open with us.
“We are being oppressed by the Minister of Labour and
Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; and the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire,
who are misinterpreting the court judgment.
“They say we’ve been ordered to call off the strike; but if
you remember, Mr. Falana had said that was not what the court judgment says.
“Apart from that, Falana-led Alliance on Surviving COVID-19
and Beyond; and convener, Citizens Solidarity Health Sector Forums, are trying
to help all the health workers in Nigeria to fight brain drain and he is
interested in helping us,” Okhuaihesuyi said.
The National Industrial Court in Abuja had fixed September
15 to hear an application brought by the Federal Government against the
striking resident doctors.
When the matter came up by way of originating summons, the
vacation judge, Justice John Targema, said that the claimant’s application
would be taken.
He, however, directed the defendant to appear on the next
adjourned date to show cause why the “no work, no pay” rule should not be
enforced against it
Targema thereafter adjourned until September 15 for hearing
of the application from both parties.
Resident doctors embarked on an indefinite strike on August
2, to press home their demands.
Some of the issues raised by NARD include the inconsistent
payment of salaries, hazard allowances, non-payment of death benefits, and
issues surrounding the registration of members on the Integrated Payroll and
Personnel Information System.
The strike was also to demand the immediate withdrawal of
the circular removing House Officers from the scheme of service and the hasty
implementation of the circular by the Lagos State Government.
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