Health Secretary: Health Support Workers strike is illegal

Health Secretary Pascoe Kase said this afternoon the nationwide strike proposed by the Health Support Workers is illegal.

A secret ballot conducted last month revealed close to 2000 members voted for the strike while only 11 voted against.

The non-clinical workers now want John Kali, the Personnel Department Secretary to meet with them next week.

Despite the approval not granted for the strike, the PNG Health Support Workers Association has executed the planned nationwide strike today at 4:06pm.

This follows their log of claims lodged on September 18, 2015 to be considered.

Meanwhile the Association’s General Secretary, Jack Suao, has called for the
Personnel Management Secretary John Kali, to resign as he said, Mr Kali hasd failed to execute these claims.

Its planned the non-clinician staff who are employed by hospitals, provincial health authorities and rural health services will carry the strike for three weeks.

This includes staff from accounts, area medical stores, office administration, IT and morgue staff.

The Health Support Workers will meet on next Monday at the Health Department headquarters.