PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Togolese health workers threaten strike Wednesday
Lome, Togo (PANA) - The health sector could be paralyzed again Wednesday in Togo if health workers carry out their threat to embark on strike for government's failure to meet their demands.
On Monday, they held a general meeting in the courtyard of the University Hospital of Lomé-Tokoin after last week's four-day warning strike that paralysed the operations of all health services in the country.
At the end of the General Assembly, the health workers reaffirmed their determination to continue their actions until the full satisfaction of their claims dating back to 2008.
They also waved placards demanding the resignation of the new health minister, on allegations of working to torpedo the negotiations with the government.
PANA recalled that last Thursday, the Togolese government sacked the health minister, Komlan Mally, who was replaced by Charles Kondi Agba, a veterinarian by profession, who headed the department until 2008.
According to officials of the National Union of Hospital Practitioners of Togo (SYNPHOT), negotiations with the government resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding and it only remained to sign before the new minister was appointed.
However, the new minister, in his statements, questioned some points of the agreement, especially regarding clothing allowances.
He also asked health workers to await the adoption of the general status of Public Service staff, which takes effect in 2012, before finalizing the particular situation of health workers.
The health workers are demanding, among other things, a special status for health personnel, immediate internet access in hospitals across the country, an audit of hospitals and health facilities, payment of the 2010 risk premiums amounting to 180,000 CFA per officer per year, as well as clothing allowances.
-0- PANA FAA/JSG/CEA/BOS 21June2011
On Monday, they held a general meeting in the courtyard of the University Hospital of Lomé-Tokoin after last week's four-day warning strike that paralysed the operations of all health services in the country.
At the end of the General Assembly, the health workers reaffirmed their determination to continue their actions until the full satisfaction of their claims dating back to 2008.
They also waved placards demanding the resignation of the new health minister, on allegations of working to torpedo the negotiations with the government.
PANA recalled that last Thursday, the Togolese government sacked the health minister, Komlan Mally, who was replaced by Charles Kondi Agba, a veterinarian by profession, who headed the department until 2008.
According to officials of the National Union of Hospital Practitioners of Togo (SYNPHOT), negotiations with the government resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding and it only remained to sign before the new minister was appointed.
However, the new minister, in his statements, questioned some points of the agreement, especially regarding clothing allowances.
He also asked health workers to await the adoption of the general status of Public Service staff, which takes effect in 2012, before finalizing the particular situation of health workers.
The health workers are demanding, among other things, a special status for health personnel, immediate internet access in hospitals across the country, an audit of hospitals and health facilities, payment of the 2010 risk premiums amounting to 180,000 CFA per officer per year, as well as clothing allowances.
-0- PANA FAA/JSG/CEA/BOS 21June2011
