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Reps block Bill aiming to bar doctors, others from embarking on strike

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, forced a member identified as Hon. Simon Atigwe (PDP/Enugu) to withdraw a bill prohibiting health-care workers from engaging in strike action.

The measure, which failed its second reading in the plenary on Wednesday, was said to be in violation of the Constitution, according to the House.

The legislation is titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to Amend the Trade Disputes Act, Cap. T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Prohibit Medical Practitioners in the Employment of Federal, State and Local Governments (as Employees in the Essential Service Sector) from Embarking on Strike and to Accelerate Administrative and Judicial Proceedings in the Determination of Trade Disputes Involving Them; and for Related Matters.’

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Several health-care unions, including the National Association of Resident Doctors and the Joint Health Sector Union, have struck on several times over issues affecting their welfare and working conditions.

On Wednesday, Atigwe read the bill’s full title and proposed a motion for the bill’s second reading, which Christopher Okwudili seconded.

The session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Ahmed Wase, who had invited the bill’s sponsor to lead the debate.

Hon. Iduma Igariwey, on the other hand, made a point of order, citing Section 34(1)(c) of the Constitution, which states that “no person shall be coerced or obliged to undertake any work.”

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He added, “I have gone through the amendment he intends to make, that it is an offence for medical practitioners to go on strike. What it means is that at all times, they must be forced to work, whether the conditions are proper or not. I think it runs contrary to this constitutional provision.”

The Deputy Speaker agreed with Hon. Igariwey, saying, “You can’t make a law that will be over and above the constitutional provision. The only way you can do that is to amend the Constitution before you now amend the law. It is their right to exercise.”

Hon. Atigwe expressed his dissatisfaction by revealing that he had sponsored the measure based on his personal experience.

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“My amendment is out of experience. I have lost so many of my loved ones through strikes by medical doctors. I feel that if we can checkmate them, then we can save lives. We are not saying they will be forced to be working; the law is providing procedures on how their issues should be handled.”

Again, Hon. Wase picked a hole in the lawmaker’s argument, saying, “I’m referring you to the oath of office that you took. You are now bringing your personal matters. The day you took that oath, you swore to Nigerians that you would not allow your personal interest to influence you.”

As a result, the Deputy Speaker and many parliamentarians encouraged the bill’s sponsor to either drop the bill or withdraw it.

As a result, Hon. Atigwe withdrew the bill.

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