Liberia: International Trade Union Calls for Retroactive Salary Payment of Health Workers Leaders Suspended by Sirleaf’s Administration

MONROVIA – The Secretary General of the Public Service International Rosa Pavanelli has challenged the Liberian government to fully certificate the National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUL) as a trade union group in the country and as well pay the retroactive remuneration of the two health workers leaders suspended by the previous administration.

“Just recently the International Labor Organization (ILO) released a recommendation to the Liberian Government asking to reinstate the two workers, which has been done by the new administration. We very much appreciate that”; Madam Pavanelli acknowledges, adding, “And to pay compensation for the months they have not been allowed to work, that we are still waiting to happen”.

She also requested the government development its own system and find resources to help implement it, making reference to the health sector of Liberia.

The visiting international trade unionist warned the current administration to desist from relying on international aid or assistance and work towards initiatives to benefit the lives of its people.

Though not confirmed but she noted that it is a serious problem for funds intended for public health institutions to be diverted to private institutions.

She encouraged the CDC-led administration to address the real issues that matter for the betterment of the Country and its people.

Madam Pavannelli frowns at the multiple tax invasion and tax wavers given to big companies and foreigners, this she noted is not tangibly helping the government and Country in general.

Speaking at a news conference Monday, November 26, she decries the poor and unacceptable working condition across Liberia and calls for swift intervention to address the situation.

Public Service International (PSI) is an international trade union representing 30 million workers and are present in 170 countries. PSI has been working with the National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUL) and other trade union organizations in Liberia. PSI has been lobbying with the Government of Liberia (GOL) and international institutions to address the issues of the right of public health workers to form a union, to access collective bargaining and collective representativeness and to address the lack of adequate health workers in the public health system in Liberia.