At least 160 healthcare workers in Unity State’s Panyijiar County staged a protest on Friday over four months’ pay arrears.
The workers were accusing UNICEF of withholding their pay.
The clinical officer in charge at Nyal PHUC, John Chuol Tap, told Radio Tamazuj over the weekend that the workers were peacefully demanding four months incentives from UNICEF, which is partner with the State Ministry of Health.
“The reason for us resorting to a peaceful protest is because the County Health Department (CHD) has delayed paying us. We are claiming our money from the organization that is responsible for our payment,” Tap said.
The Ganyliel Nurse in-Charge, Mary Nyaboth Majok, also confirmed the protest against UNICEF over the pay dispute.
She said that the delay had put them in a fix over their expenditures like school fees for their children.
CHD promised to settle the salary arrears next week.
County Health Director Peter Galyak said that the 160 workers had kept away from work from Monday to Friday.
“We held a meeting with State Ministry of Health’s Director General and the Minister last week and discussed the salary arrears, he said, adding that the Minister promised to take the matter up with UNICEF.
“I told the protesting workers that they would be paid next week according to State Ministry of Health’s communication,” Gatyoak added.
He disclosed that the health centers faced another problem of lack of drugs, hence the high rate of death among the patients.