Fort Portal Hospital Staff To Resume Strike On 4th June Over Delayed Payments*

*By Steven Ainganiza     28/05/2013  *

*Fort Portal*

Tension is high at Fort Portal regional referral hospital as the hospital
staff have resolved to resume their strike on 4th June, 2013 should the
government fails to pay their sallies and increase their payment.

On Thursday 16th May, the hospital workers went on a sit down strike
protesting government failure to pay their salaries for the past two months
and increasing their pay leaving hundreds of the patients stranded.

But on Monday last week Health workers called off their strike after
meeting the hospital administrators and promised them that their salaries
shall be paid by 27th May.

However waiting for their salaries on the accounts in vain, the hospital
administration led by the hospital Director Dr.Charles Olaro, Hon.Alex
Ruhunda MP Fort Portal and chairperson of the hospital Management Board Mr.
Edison Kiraso held an emergence meeting with the health workers.

After long deliberations, the staff upheld their earlier resolution of
Monday 20th May with minor amendments. They said the count down for the
dates for industrial action now begins on 27th May, 2013 and ends on
3rdJune if their April and May salaries are not paid.

A press release dated 27th May 2013 signed by Dr.John Mali chairman of
Uganda Medical Workers’ Union Fort portal branch and Dr.Jotham Bamuhinga
the secretary indicates that the industrial action starts on 4th June since
3rd June is martyrs day and public holiday.

It also states that, much as they also advocate for the pay raise, their
present cause was only limited to non-payments of their meager salaries.
The statement added that before 4th June, the rest of the days workers will
report and work normally.

According to the release, the medics resolved that a skeletal staff
comprising the hospital administrators, the Union leaders, senior members
of the hospital within the salary scale of U1 and U2 shall remain at the
facility only to handle the emergencies.

It was also resolved that the hospital Director Dr.Charles Olaro informs
the concerned relevant authorities in the district and the permanent
secretary in the ministry of health the position of the workers.

The local leaders like the RDC, District Police Commander, District health
Officer, LC5 chairperson among others be informed by the UMWU.

Alex Ruhunda the MP Fort Portal advised the workers to calm as the
government looks at increasing their pay.

He said that striking was not the only solution but rather focus at lasting
solutions like forming a SACCO where they can save and borrow money when
there are salary delays.

On Monday 20th May, the administrator held a meeting with the striking
workers and convinced them to call off the strike after giving each worker
shs50, 000 to go and solve the daily needs as they wait for their salaries.

The workers went on strike protesting the delayed salaries and missing on
the payroll.

Among other demands, the striking workers wanted to be offered a special
unit at the facility where they will be admitted and treated in a special
manner as government workers.

They accused the ministry of public service for the mistreatment for not
listening to their grievances despite several complaints.

They also demanded the government to give them special motivation by giving
them lunch, transport, accommodation among others and increasing their
salaries depending on the workload or duties performed.

Fort Portal referral hospital serves patients from the districts of
Kabarole the horst, Kasese, Ntoroko,Bundibugyo,Kamwenge, Kyenjojo,Kyegegwa
and sometimes Kibaale.

According to Dr.Olaro, the hospital receives over 1000 patients a day.