The House of Representative Wednesday forced a member, Atigwa Simon of the Peoples Democratic Party who is representing Igbo Eze north/Udenu Federal constituency of Enugu state in the green chamber to withdraw a bill seeking to bar industrial actions in the health sector.
The proposal which which according to the House failed it second reading at the plenary on Wednesday, was against the provisions of the constitution.
The Bill 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' read out by Atigwa Simon and moved motion for was seconded by Okwudili seconded the motion.
Ahmed Wase, the deputy speaker who presided over the session, had asked the sponsor to lead the debate on the bill.
Iduma Igariwey, another member however, raised a point of order to cite Section 34(1)(c) of the Constitution, which prescribes that “no person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.”
“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.” He added.
Ahmed Wase agreeing with Iduma Igariwey said, “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.”
Not satisfied, Atigwe disclosed that he sponsored the bill based on his experience.
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