Nurses issue 28 days strike notice
A patient being assessed by a Nurse at the Helena Goldie Hospital. Photo courtesy of journeyonline.com.au
The Solomon Islands Nursing Association has issued a 28 days strike notice effective today.
National General Secretary, Solomon Islands Nursing Association Steve Maitani has announced.
Mr. Maitani said the association resolved to serve the notice today to show the government the accrued grievances of its members regarding the prolonged Nursing Scheme of Service.
He said the Nursing Scheme of Service was revised in 2015 by a taskforce comprising Nursing administration, Solomon Islands Nursing Council and Solomon Islands Nursing Association.
The Nurses General Secretary added even after a couple of meetings this year with the Ministries of Health and Public Service, the scheme of service was approved but never implemented.
He said, various nursing allowances were approved in the revised Scheme of Service but were never implemented.
Mr Maitani questioned, if the Ministries of Health and Medical Service and Public Service approved and implement the doctors scheme of service, why not the Nurses scheme of service.
“The Notice will start off at 12 midnight tonight,” he said.
“We need to recognise the services of Nurses , and they must be viewed as important people in our country.”
He said 12 hours before the strike notice lapses, they will dicuss strategies forward, which may include the reduction in the number of staff for clinics and even possible decline in the provision of basic services.
By: Lowen Sei