The Government of Uganda has urged striking medical workers to return to duty as they await the finalization of an ongoing public-sector wide salary rationalization exercise expected by the end of November 2017.
Dr. Aceng said that although the government signed recognition agreements with Public Service Labour Unions including the Uganda Medical Workers’ Union and Uganda Nurses and Midwives’ Union, for purposes of negotiation and collective bargaining on matters concerning the welfare and working conditions of workers, government is unable to make an increase in their salaries.
She said: “Moving forward, government will do the following;
• Maintain Interns’ allowances at the same rate as last year, without
reduction.
• Pay Senior House Officers after completing the verification exercise.
• Finalise the Public Service pay policy which is intended to eliminate pay disparities and ensure pay enhancement across the Public Sector.
This exercise is in its final stages. Pay proposals were developed and are now being appraised to ascertain their viability and long-term sustainability. It is expected that by end of November 2017, Government will pronounce itself on the matter.
The strike by the doctors under their umbrella body – the Uganda Medical Workers Union, started on Tuesday following the government’s failure to fulfil its pledge to enhance their salaries.
The strike has paralysed access to health services in many government health centres.
However, the ministry says that the strike has not affected all government health facilities as some of them continue to report to work.
