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Nurses give Govt 90 days to honour Shs1b pledge, lunch allowance
Mr Stephen Amukun the Jinja UNMU chairperson (Left) flanked by General Secretary Julius Waidha on October 6, 2020. PHOTO BY PHILIP WAFULA
What you need to know:
- Their message is contained in an October 1 letter to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, signed by the UNMU National President, Mr Justus Cherop Kiplangat.
- Dr Obuku Ekwaro, the former President Uganda Medical Association, described the Covid-19 pandemic as a ‘game changer’ which has prioritised the health sector as a solid ‘real economy’.
Nurses under their umbrella body the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union (UNMU), have given the government up to December 30, 2020 to meet their demands for a daily lunch allowance of Shs15,000 which was promised to them over a year ago.
Their message is contained in an October 1 letter to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, signed by the UNMU National President, Mr Justus Cherop Kiplangat.
“Notice is hereby given that all nurses and midwives shall go on an indefinite industrial action effective December 30 in furtherance of a labour dispute,” the letter reads in part.
The grounds for the said industrial action, the letter further states, includes a Shs1b presidential pledge to the nurses’ Sacco during celebrations to mark the International Nurses Day on May 1, 2018 in Kitgum district.
The letter also lists a Shs15,000 lunch allowance to the nurses by President Museveni during the same celebrations held last year at Kyamate Secondary School playground in Ntungamo municipality.
Mr Stephen Amukun, the Jinja district UNMU Chairperson, on Tuesday said the Shs2,000 they have been receiving per day for lunch since 1999 is not enough to buy a decent meal.
The Jinja district UNMU General Secretary, Mr Julius Waidha, said they will make good of their December 30 ultimatum because nurses are being taken for granted yet they are the front liners.
“Most of the facilities are run by the nurses who are always sidelined,” he said.
Dr Obuku Ekwaro, the former President Uganda Medical Association, described the Covid-19 pandemic as a ‘game changer’ which has prioritised the health sector as a solid ‘real economy’.
According to him, the government should listen to the nurses and attend to their welfare and safety demands.
Asked if the letter from the nurses, a copy of which was sent to the Minister of Health, has triggered some crisis talks in the Ministry, the Spokesperson, Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, said he will follow up and revert.
