Malawi nurses’ strike on today

The organisation gave government an ultimatum last week demanding non-taxed leave grants, salary increments and arrears for its members working in Cham institutions dating back to October 2014.he National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives (Nonm) yesterday instructed all its members to go on an indefinite strike starting this morning following the expiry of its seven-day ultimatum given to government.

Addressing the media in Blantyre, Nonm president Dorothy Ngoma said having declared their dispute last week, government has failed to comply to it, as such all its members would have to go on a stay-away until they are paid.

“As of now, we have not heard anything from government since we declared our dispute on 4th March. The deadline we gave government has elapsed today, so starting from tomorrow [today] all our members nationwide are starting an indefinite strike,” said Ngoma.

She, however, assured the nation that no person will die needlessly during the stay-away as skeleton staff will be provided for emergencies.

“The community must be assured that we will ensure proper coverage in all crucial wards like the labour, paediatric and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), but the coverage will be sparse,” she said.

Apart from the more than 2 000 Nonm members, the strike will also extend to clinicians and support staff of Cham institutions and this has the potential to slow down operations.

However, Cham board chairperson Father Peter Mulomole said he was aware of the ultimatum but not the decision that the strike should go ahead.

Said Mulomole: “Processing of salaries has started and early next week, staff should begin receiving them. We [board] are the ones negotiating with the government and as far as we are concerned there are no more grievances.”