The Mt Hagen health support workers have started voting yesterday and has continued to today on whether or not to go on strike.
They are supporting their mother association, the PNG Health Support Workers to walk off their jobs regarding their delayed log of claims by Personal Management Department.
It has been one year since they presented their claims to DPM for approval.
The ballot box was conducted by the Electoral Commission’s returning officer for the Mt Hagen Health Support Workers.
Up to 140 registered members working in all the clinics, hospitals and medical stores in the Province came together at Mt Hagen General Hospital and casted their votes.
They add to the total 3000 plus membership of the association nationwide.
The returning officer is expected to declare the ballot boxes sometimes tonight in Mt Hagen.
So far, the Health Support Workers in Port Moresby, Lae, Goroka, and Milne Bay have voted to go on strike.
Other provinces are having difficulty voting due to the slow transportation of ballot boxes from POM to their provinces.
The Health Support Workers felt that they too need to be awarded like the health workers. The PNG Health Support Association was formed in 2014 by non-clinicians or staffs of clinics, hospitals and the Health Department who are not health practitioners.
Many members are cleaners, ambulance drivers, accountants, secretaries, and ancillary staff.
They felt that for 40 years, they have not been compensated like any other public servant or medical professional.
On September 24 2015, they submitted 11-point Log of claims to the Department of Personal Management to recognise them and their hard work.
Their foremost need is to have an increase in their salary and housing allowance.
A final declaration in the association’s next course of action will be handed down soon after all provinces have conducted their votes.
