A group of professionals from the Simão Mendes National Hospital (HNSM), Guinea-Bissau’s main medical unit, began a general strike Wednesday to demand the payment of around six months’ salaries, a source from the union told media.
According to a source from the HNSM Basic Union, the strike is to take place Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, involving doctors, nurses, midwives and hospital care staff.
At issue is the government’s “unfulfilled promise” that a total of six months’ salary arrears would be paid by Tuesday 26th.
A source in the management of Simão Mendes said that the strike “began yesterday, although with little impact, as it was the first day”.
“This strike is happening at the worst time,” noted the same source, who pointed to cases of accidents and illnesses related to the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages during this festive season.
The source explained that the strike “hasn’t been felt yet” at Simão Mendes because many technicians were unaware that the strike would actually take place from today.
“When shifts change in the evening, many technicians won’t show up for work,” the source predicted, citing past experiences.
The strike was called by the Basic Union, which includes around 200 HNSM workers, including technicians and hospital care staff, most of whom are contracted.
A source in the Simão Mendes management said that the 700 or so professionals working at the hospital are currently waiting to receive around six months’ worth of allowances.
The Simão Mendes management is hopeful that, at the Council of Ministers this Thursday, the government will find a solution and the strike will be lifted, he said.