Three healthcare workers groups have threatened to mobilise a nationwide strike over governments alleged “dishonesty” and failure to fulfill its commitment to increase allowance for their members.

Society of Medical Doctors (SMD), National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives in Malawi (Nonm) and Physician Assistants Union of Malawi (Paum) gave government a deadline of April 12 2024 to implement the reviewed allowances.

Dr. Samson Mndolo Secretary of Health said the group through Conciliator Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) that he was yet to get a response from Treasury on the matter and that feedback would be provided by April 26 2024.

“Will draw labour withdrawal plans on April 27” in case of unsatisfactory response. Said the three groups since they are not amused by the delays.

Apart from to implement a 15 percent salary increment, government committed to increasing several allowances, including locum rates, risk, or medical allowance, government top-up and professional allowance whose payments would be backdated to November.

Mndolo through MHRC executive secretary Habiba Osman on April 17, Nonm President shouts Simeza and his Paum counterpart Solomon David Chomba said that the response from the Secretary to the Treasury (ST) will determine their next course of action.

“Nonm and Paum remain optimistic about the positivity of the conciliatory process, especially since the adjustment of the health sector-specific allowances formed the basis and the condition of the health workforces’ acceptance of the 15 percent salary adjustment that the government effected for civil service.

Chomba said they felt betrayed that government was playing hide and seek on the matter, having earlier set April 12 as the deadline to resolve the issue.

“There has been slowness in fulfilling the commitment and that is why we wanted to down tools on 15 April. The Secretary for Health provided feedback on 12 April, but it is not conclusive, there is no proper response because all they are saying is that they were waiting for the Secretary to the Treasury to give final determination.” said Chomba.

He also added that they are consulting their legal team on the matter, espically in case of unsatisfactory response by April 26.

“Our membership is angry with these delays, but we have asked for patience, which can only go up to April 26.

He also warned the government that if it does not respond in line with commitment, they will issue notifications of the next course of action. This should signal to the ST that they have been patient enough and expect feedback in line with what they signed, otherwise, expect unprecedented action after that day.

Simeza said they agreed with Paum to draw a labour withdrawal plan after April 26.

He added that if there is no response then by 26^th, it means they don’t value them. They exhausted all negotiations and they will act after the 26^th. They will draw a labour withdrawal plan.

Victor Mithi, SMD president said they were particularly not happy with the “dishonesty” on the part of government.

He added that in the near future, they would want to follow up together with Nonm and Paum with the Ministry of Health to fast-track implementation of the commitment.

Osman the conciliator said there are deadlines up to August for all issues to be fulfilled.

He said there are other things that the Secretary for Health has fulfilled, and they have deadlines up to August. Some deadlines have passed, and they will have to see whether the issues for those deadlines have been implemented or not.

“The matter is still under consideration.” Said Betchani Tchereni

 

Tchereni said it involves consulting a number of stakeholders, it turns out that it is not a straight-forward matter.

Mndolo signed the February 13 agreement document, Osman, Simeza and Chomba- indicates that the proposed monthly professional allowance will jump to K30,000 from K1 800 for juniors and K2 800 for seniors.

Government top-up allowance, junior health workers in Grade M could get K70,000 from K20,000 while the highest in Grade C might walk away  with K710 400.

On the risk or medical allowance, grades Mto I will receive K150 000 from K50 000 with the highest, Grade C , getting the lowest risk allowance of K60 000.

Minus the Locum rates , this means an assistant medical officer in Grade L could pocket K250 000 monthly in risk, government top-up and professional allowances.

Source: NPL