Health workers in Sao Tome say hundreds are without contracts and salaries
The Government of Sao Tome has not completed its inclusion in public administration.
A group of health employees in Sao Tome Losa reported on Saturday that they have not received their salaries, in some cases for four years, because the Sao Tome government has not completed the processes of inclusion in public administration.
In this case, as reported to Lusa, there will be about 380 employees who provided services as stretcher bearers, medical assistants, drivers and in the administrative and financial sectors of the Central Hospital and the district health units.
The majority were appointed by the previous government, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and most recently by the current executive due to the wave of migration that has affected the country in recent years.
“We are there working, protesting, and they do not satisfy us with anything. We are family men, and we face difficulties […]“No one gives us satisfaction,” said Waldemar Torres, speaking to Lusa. “Years come, years go by and no one gives us satisfaction.”
He added, “The system is bankrupt and very corrupt, because there are elements who entered three and six months ago and their salaries have already been paid, and we have been there for years and they do not satisfy us.”
According to this group, the majority of support staff in the National Health System in São Tomé are suffering from this situation, which now threatens to paralyze services.
Ludmila Quaresma, who worked for a year as a medical assistant in the maternity ward of the Central Hospital, confirmed that it is mainly children who suffer, and children of workers.
“Ministers who have now joined the government are not receiving their salaries? […] Most of our children are suffering, and we have nothing to give the children to eat […]There are those who do not have the money to pay their house rent. What will our lives be like?” he asked.
These employees are now under the supervision of the Minister of Health and Women’s Rights, Angela Costa, who is demanding a quick solution.
“The minister must understand that hunger hurts, and this is not easy. I have six children,” Vania Jordao complained.
The group also stated that after several years of attempts “behind the scenes” to resolve the situation, it has now been forced to speak out, despite fear of potential retaliation.
“I have already prepared five or six documents at home and no salary has come out yet […]”It’s better that the state, the ministers and the whole government solve our problem, otherwise no one will work,” said Joselina Telmo, a mother of six who worked in psychiatry for two years.
Lusa tried to contact the Ministry of Health and the Central Hospital administration to no avail.
