Union backs unpaid nurses

 THE Amalgamated General Workers’ Union has applauded the National Court’s decision for the Health Department and the Port Moresby General Hospital to pay the four retired nurses their final entitlements. 

General secretary Charlie Ene, in a statement last Thursday, said the hospital management did not consider the fact that the nurses served for more than 40 years and deserved to be compensated. 

“The hospital must not deny the workers’ rights and make it difficult for the less privileged workers to seek other avenues to claim their entitlements.

“This is a clear example of the management’s disrespect and ignorance to these employees.”

Meanwhile, the Churches Medical Council has urged the government to address the shortage of nurses in the country. 

Chairman Wallace Kintak said there were fewer health workers produced every year compared to the population growth. 

“According to the government report last year, PNG health worker density is estimated to be 0.58 per 1,000 population compared with the recommended density of 2.5 per 1,000 for the effective provision of primary health care services,” he said.

He said major hospitals were struggling to keep the operation going as well as church health services because of salary disparity and shortage of health workers.