Guadalcanal Health Workers End Sit-In Protest After Provincial Government Commits to Resolving 2018 Demands

By Sharon Nanau 

Guadalcanal Province Premier, Hon. Willie Atu said the sit-in protest held by Guadalcanal health workers on Monday is illegal.

The sit-in protest was held following claims that a log of demands filed in 2018 remains unresolved by previous provincial governments.

Hon. Atu told SIBC news in recognizing the health workers’ frustrations there are proper channels to follow when it comes to dealing with such issues.

“As far as the Guadalcanal province office is concern this is an illegal sitting, this issue needs to be discussed by all involved, despite the possibility that not all parties will come  to an agreement on the matter, the trade dispute panel is also there we can always go through the trade dispute panel as an arbitrator, the current sit-in protest is too early,” he said.

Hon Atu said his government was not aware of the health workers’ demands since coming into power last year.

He explains that eighty percent of the current Guadalcanal provincial assembly are first time members of parliament.

He said upon learning about the issue his government has taken the necessary steps to solve the issue.

“The first time I saw the log of claims and was aware of it was when it was brought up before us this week, we’ve meet with the workers and the Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI) also our executive met with the commissioner of labour and were coming together for an understanding that will see us sign an agreement that will bind workers with the province to enable health services to continue,” he said.

Hon. Atu also confirms they will be liaising with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services on the issue through their Health Director.

“We will be working with the Ministry of Health on the issue as we want the claims raised by the province’s health workers to comply with the country’s standard health claims especially when it comes to the monetary part of the claims.”

SIBC news understands the health workers have returned to work after a meeting was held between the Guadalcanal Provincial government members and their legal advisor and the Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI).

Ends//