The Mount St Johns Medical Centre (MSJMC) Amendment Bill 2018 was passed in the Upper House on Wednesday, May 9th, two weeks after it was passed in the Lower House of Representatives.
The Bill’s amendment had caused nurses to protest ahead of the first session of parliament because they were concerned that workers would be made redundant and lose pension benefits.
Sections of the Amendment were apparently changed by the government, the night before the first sitting, because of what some considered pressure from the staff at the MSJMC.
But even after sitting in on the session and being quoted on how sections of the Bill would address their concerns, the nurses say they are still not satisfied that the amended Bill addresses everything.
The Nurses Association has even discussed filing an injunction against the government and according to the leader of Government Business in the Senate, Mary Clare-Hurst, who spoke in parliament Wednesday, the Nurses Association say they will not be satisfied until the bill is in the Gazette and made law.
Nicholas said this shows an apparent lack of trust among hospital staff and the government.
“Where is the trust, it does not exist”, she questioned, “then why stay my employee if you don’t trust me, it makes no sense”.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
