"The Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement recently submitted a statement outlining a dozen demands to a number of institutions, including the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Civil Service Commission, the Labor Ministry, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, and the US Embassy in Ethiopia, among others.
The Reporter has obtained a copy of the statement.
It gives officials at the Health Ministry until May 11 to respond to the demands, including a call for appropriate wage increases, or face “measures that we deem would be within lawful bounds”. Insiders say the threat could include a nationwide general strike.
The professionals behind the movement want to see the Ministry adopt the East African standard of a salary floor of USD 1,000 and limit working hours to 45 hours a week, with guarantees for overtime pay. They have called on the Ministry to provide benefits such as affordable housing privileges, and institute a system of merit for promotions to leadership positions.
Health professionals also want to see the government set up international proficiency examination and accreditation centers such as USMLE Exam Center, NCLEX Exam Center, PLAB, DHA and AMC “in line with promises made to us years ago”.
Six years ago, health professionals met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as part of a series of consultations with the Ethiopian workforce. At the time, the health professionals expressed their demands and concerns, particularly those related to salary increments and the introduction of benefits.
However, the PM glossed over the pressure, pointing to the country’s financial issues as reason to shelve the demands.
The government has yet to respond to the growing pressure."