NBGs parliament sets up committee to probe health workers’ strike in Aweil

JUBA – Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Legislative Assembly formed a seven-member committee on Tuesday to investigate the grievances of health workers following a recent strike in the state.

Health workers at Aweil Civil Hospital laid down their tools last week, demanding payment of outstanding wages of $21,000. They also demanded payment for support staff and cleaners.

Garang Kuol Mabior, head of the Information Committee, told this outlet on Monday that they had formed a seven-member committee to probe the recent strike of health workers at Aweil State Hospital.

“We have formed seven members who will go and meet the minister of health and talk with the health workers, and the investigation will take about seven days and will meet with all of the striking staff as well,” Mabior said.

Kuol revealed that they summoned the state health minister last week to explain to the parliament the reasons for the strike.

The state health minister told MPs that some partners promised to pay the health workers but later declined, which forced them to down tools.

“The striking health workers laid down the tools last two weeks and their grievances will be heard from them during the investigation,” Kuol said.

Kuol disclosed that a motion will be tabled next week to discuss the matter.

In a separate development, members of parliament in Aweil have threatened to remove the speaker, Achol William Amoi, who is away in Juba, accusing her of not attending to state affairs in parliament.

Attempts to reach out to the speaker in question have been futile.