Nurses and midwives have called off their strike three days after Public Service Minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa ordered them to choose between their jobs and the industrial action (strike) pushing for salary increment.
Minister Muruli Mukasa’s threats were issued on Friday, May 27, throwing nurses, midwives and nursing assistants into panic. Leaders of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union (Unmu) convened a meeting at the weekend and resolved to end the strike.
Unmu, whose leader is Justus Cherop, has also since written to Minister Mukasa informing him of the decision to call off the strike. According to the union, the suspension of the strike is a mark of patience as the nurses and midwives wait to see if government will keep its word.
“The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the leadership of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union (UNMU) shall effective May 29 suspend the industrial action that has been ongoing since May 26, 2022, as we monitor and observe whether government will fulfill the commitment you made in the quoted press release of May 27, 2022,” the Cherop-led union wrote to Minister Muruli Mukasa.
In ordering the nurses, midwives and nursing assistants to return to work, the public service minister accused Unmu of flouting public service laws, rules and guidelines, particularly section 8(a)and (b) of Public Service Negotiation, Consultative and Dispute Settlement Machinery Act, 2008 by not giving government a 90-day notice as required.
The union has now informed the minister that their May 28 letter should serve as the start of the 90-day notice and that in case their salaries are not enhanced, their industrial action will resume.
“Hon Minister, note that if this is not fulfilled, this also serves as a NINETY-DAY NOTICE of INDUSTRIAL ACTION by the Nurses, Midwives, Nurse Interns and Nursing Assistants of Uganda on salary enhancement,” the letter to the minister further read. “This is in fulfillment of Section 8(a)and (b) of Public Service Negotiation, Consultative and Dispute Settlement Machinery Act, 2008.”
The minister’s threats seem to have worked since nurses and midwives have agreed to resume work today, although some are accusing their leaders of betrayal since they have suspended the industrial action unclear of how much they will be earning starting in the next financial year (2022-23).
On Friday, Minister Muruli Mukasa ordered nurses and midwives as well as all other striking health workers to return to work today Monday or be fired. (Read Story Here).
Minister Muruli Mukasa also said he will resign if Museveni’s government does not increase health workers’ salaries starting July 2022. He even said he was ready to have his right hand cut off if the salaries are not enhanced. (Read Story Here).
