Heads Of Health Workers Sacked The President of the National Health Workers Association and his Secretary General have been dismissed by Health Minister Dr. Walter Gwenigale. Mr. Joseph S. Tamba and George Williams were dismissed on February 28, 2014 days after they returned to work following the nationwide protest for salary increment and other benefits. According to a letter in the possession of this paper, the two officials of the National Health Workers Association were dismissed for what the Ministry termed as ‘gross insubordination’ and obstruction of government’s functions in the health sector in all parts of Liberia. The two dismissed officials were in the employ of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center and James N. Davies Memorial Hospital respectively. The dismissed employees refused several times to abandon their strike action, amidst concerns from the Liberian Senate and members of the public due to the increment in death rates across the country. But Secretary General Williams confirmed that they have been dismissed from the Health Ministry but promised to challenge the dismissal. According to him, the Chief Administrator of the James N. Davies Memorial Hospital informed him that the Health Ministry mandated him to remove his name from the payroll for this month. He said health workers in all parts of Liberia are informed about their dismissal and promised to take appropriate measures in the soonest possible time. It can be recalled that health workers began a nationwide strike action on Monday, February 17, 2014. They later abandoned the protest following appeals from the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), National Traditional Council, religious leaders, Civil Society groupings, among others. But 20 of their colleagues were dismissed for refusing to come to work and adhering to the nationwide protest. Meanwhile, they have been reinstated by the Health Ministry following appeals to resolve the matter. The health workers were demanding the dismissal of Dr. Gwenigale and his principal deputies.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 22:44:03 +0000
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