By Garmah Lomoh|Contributor
The Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUL) has suspended their three-week-old strike, as a result of an intervention by the United Nations office in Liberia, although the Liberian government is yet to make good on any of its promises.
NAHWUL’s strike came one year after the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government “failed to live up to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding certification of the Union, pay increase, improvement of conditions in public health facilities, etc.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government also promised to give hazard benefits to health workers, which has so far not been received.
Recently, the government only announced that it has allotted US$2 million for this purpose.
On Thursday, October 8, 2020, Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Francis Kateh described as a “criminal” act, the action of public health workers preventing those who want to continue treating patient.
NAHWUL Statement below October 8, 2020:
“Fellow HCWs, members of the fourth Estate, Foreign residents and the listening public.
One year ago the National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUL) and the Government of Liberia (GOL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which the government failed to live up to for which the Union embarked upon the Stay Home Action (SHA) on September 16, 2020.
The Union took a petition to the US Embassy, the European Union and the United Nations office, near Monrovia and other well-meaning people, both residing in Liberia and abroad have intervened – negotiating with the Union.
The Union wants to thank all health care workers who adhered to the SHA until today and continue to pray for the leadership and the Union in general. We salute you.
We equally want to thank our international partners, the President of CTIL, the Secretary General of the Liberia Labor Congress, and the Solidarity Center and other Trade Union institutions who stood by the union during this challenging period. After more than three weeks of her own pronouncement on the very much talked about $2 Million dollars, the government of Liberia has yet to credit the accounts of HCWs, nor has she provided any clear roadmap on how to address the rest of our demands. Fellow HCWs, distinguish ladies and gentlemen of the Press, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and NAHWUL have been involved in series of discussion and have reached a consensus on the issues raised.
Therefore, based upon the intervention of the UN Resident Coordinator, the members and leaders of NAHWUL hereby SUSPEND the Stay Home Action (SHA) as of today and ask all health workers to return to work within 24 hours in Monrovia and the county seats and gradually reopen at the periphery within 72 hours.
The Union wants to make it abundantly clear to the GOL that this gesture should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness. The Union will closely be observing in the weeks/months following the return of all HCWs as it relates to the relationship with lines managers. The union will explore other options in respond should there be any hostility towards our members.
Thank you and God blessed Mama Liberia Signed: Deemi T. Dearzrua Asst. Sec. Gen., NAHWUL An Affiliate of the Liberia Labour Congress (LLC) Injury to ONE, Injury to ALL
