Maputo, 19 Jun (AIM) – The Association of United Health Professionals (APSUSM) has suspended its strike for sixty days, counted from Monday, as a result of an agreement reached between the health workers and the government.
The strike was supposed to restart on Monday, after being suspended for 15 days. Initially, the strike began on 1 June, but was suspended after just three days.
The Chairperson of APSUSM, Anselmo Muchave, announced on Sunday that the association and the government had signed an agreement to postpone the strike, and allow more time for negotiations.
After the agreed sixty days, Muchave says, “there is no more space for negotiations. The sixty days are enough for the government to solve issues regarding the implementation of Single Wage Table (TSU) and improvement of working conditions in the health units.”
APSUSM is demanding increased wages and better working conditions, as well as solutions to complaints of shortages of medicines and individual protective equipment in the health units.
The Ministry of Health has denied APSUSM claims of shortages of medicines and of protective equipment, and even showed journalists the stocks of medicines and equipment in the Central Medical Stores.
Before last month, APSUSM was unheard of. Now it has claimed10,000 members, including doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff, but there is no way of confirming this No figures were issued, either by APSUSM or by the Health Ministry for the number of health workers who took strike action at the start of the month.
(AIM)
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