The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige says, striking National Association of Resident Doctors is not a union, neither is it a fully registered association.
At the opening talks on Thursday with SSANU and NASU, which are threatening strike as well, the Minister said, NARD is an illegal body, but the Trade Unions Act mandates him to mediate over the welfare of one worker, the reason he handles their matter as members of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA.
Ngige said the ministry does not take all matters to higher authorities like the National Industrial Court, but NARD found itself there for immaturity and reasons of deliberate moves to frustrate the government’s effort in revamping the health sector.
Also Read: Resident doctors continue strike despite court order
On SSANU and NASU, Ngige said as a more matured Union, he hopes their agitations will be resolved amicably and wouldn’t require approaching the National Industrial court.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union Of Educational And Associated Institutions, NASU, are demanding equity in the disbursement of forty billion earned allowance, among the four unions in the university circle, and not the unverified news that 80 per cent goes to ASUU while three other unions shared 20%.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
