The House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking to outlaw workers in the health sector from going on strike.
The bill was proposed by Simon Atigwe (Enugu, PDP).
The bill failed its second reading at the plenary on Wednesday because it was against the provisions of the Constitution.
The proposal 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.’
Atigwe read out the long title of the bill and moved a motion for its second reading, while Christopher Okwudili seconded the motion.
Deputy Speaker Ahmed Wase, who presided over the session, had asked the sponsor to lead the debate on the bill.
Another member, Iduma Igariwey, however, raised a point of order, citing Section 34(1)(c) of the Constitution, which prescribes that “no person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.”
After a debate, Wase and other lawmakers then urged the sponsor to either step down the bill or withdraw it.
Atigwe consequently withdrew the bill.
