We’re Not Owing Doctors for Work Done – LASG

Some doctors working in the State Government’s hospitals had early last week staged a demonstration alleging that the State Government owed them an unspecified amount of money covering their salaries for the months of July and August this year.

But in a statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Remi Ibirogba, the Lagos State Government said salaries for the affected months were not paid in accordance with the Government’s policy of “No Work, No Pay”.

He recalled, with regrets, that the period of the doctors’ strike unfortunately coincided with the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in Lagos State pointing out that all entreaties to the striking doctors to see reasons and call-off the strike were ignored.

He explained that the state government has in a statement jointly signed by Chairman, Health Service Commission, Dr. M.O. Salako and Chairman, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. O. Williams said it has promptly resumed payment of salaries of the doctors since they resumed work.

But that government’s Policy of “No Work, No Pay” was still in force, noting that the policy was informed by the fact that it was unjustifiable for any worker to be paid for work not done.

According to him, any group of employees that embarked on strike in contravention of the laid-down procedures governing such actions would be so treated for the period of strike.

Ibirogba assured citizens of the administration’s commitment to its responsibilities of protecting life and property in the state at all times.