Health workers give ultimatum

Very soon The National Health Workers’ Union of Liberia (NAHWUL) will embark on strike if certain conditions are not met,  before September 23, 2019 according to a release issued late Wednesday.

The release said, as of 12 a.m. on Monday, 23 September, health workers in the public sector will be laying down their tools until government can meet their concerns.

According to George Poe Williams, Secretary General of  the health workers  are seeking for budgetary allotment for the health sector to provide adequate medical and laboratory supplies plus other logistics for health facilities across the country.

In addition to that,  the NAHWUL  wants  increment in health workers’ salaries in  the country and complete payment of all their salaries owed by government.   It added that  salaries be  stepped up with incentives and all other benefits of the group’s president Mr. Joseph S. Tamba and its Secretary General Mr. Williams.

They also want government to address, the health workers demand the implementation of Senator Jallah’s Committee’s recommendation and the inclusion of NAHWUL in Social Dialogue in all work related matters within the health sector.

NAHWUL  said government  was  downplaying health workers’ concerns that were announced since  September  3, 2019.

The release said several health workers have not been paid their monthly salaries and incentives since February  2019 in addition to other outstanding matters.

NAHWUL said, since the disbursement of salaries for the month of July 2019 started on August 19, 2019, many health workers are yet to receive any of their salaries. Others have gotten a fragment of their salaries.  NAHWUL said such was unfair as others have taken full payment only in Liberian dollars, contrary to the much publicized 65% USD and 35% LRD. TNR