Liberia health care workers go on strike

By Jonathan Paye-Layleh

Nurses and healthcare workers in Liberia have begun an indefinite stay at home action after a two-week notice they gave the government expired.

The workers want, among other things, basic working materials, protective equipment, better salaries, and the right to form a union.

Their leader, Joseph Tamba, called a talk radio show on OK FM on Wednesday morning saying he had gone into hiding because of he was receiving threats.

But Information Minister Eugene Nagbe disputed Mr Tamba's statement.

He said the government had made "some overtures" to address the healthcare workers’ concerns.

He, however, warned that the names of those who will continue with the strike “will be removed from the payroll and replaced” in accordance with, he said, the civil service law.

Local reporters calling the radio programme from different parts of the country said the strike was ongoing at many health facilities.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Front Page Africa