The federal government of Nigeria has described as illegal the five-day warning strike declared by the association of resident doctors in the country.

The Minister of Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, while reacting to the planned strike urged the association to abort the plan and dialogue with the federal government on their grievances.

He noted that although the doctors have the right to strike , but their employer has another right under Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, to withhold their pay for those five days if the strike goes on.

The National Association of Resident Doctors says its doctors are expected to begin the warning strike on Wednesday following the federal government’s failure to address their demands.

The Nigerian doctors are demanding an immediate review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure by 200 percent of current salaries, immediate withdrawal of bill on compulsory five-year service in Nigeria for graduates of medicine and dentistry before approval of license for full medical practice, and immediate implementation of a new salary structure among others.

Recall that the association had on January 11, 2023, issued a strike warning in a letter submitted to the Health minister on Monday, January 9, 2023.

It said it would kick-start processes that would lead to industrial disharmony if lingering issues were not addressed before its NEC meeting scheduled for January 24 to 28, 2023.

The plan was later cancelled after a proper review by its National Executive Council.