The National Healthcare Workers’ Union, announced a nationwide strike on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, protesting the government’s failure to honor a labor agreement signed six months ago.
According to a statement on the labor union’s Facebook page, the strike will affect all healthcare facilities, except emergency and intensive care units. The strike includes a central protest in front of the Ministry of Health at noon.
“We have struggled tirelessly for six months to secure an agreement with the government on July 23, 2024. Now, we find ourselves compelled to fight again to ensure its implementation,” the statement read. The organization especially criticized the Ministry of Health for stalling discussions and failing to prioritize the well-being of healthcare workers.
The union said it is disappointed in the new health minister, Amine Tahraoui, who despite being in office for over two months, has yet to engage meaningfully with the signed agreement. “The new administration seems intent on restarting negotiations from scratch,” the statement said.
It accused the ministry of disregarding the critical role of healthcare staff, describing the situation as “an administration that neither respects institutional dialogue nor understands the centrality of human resources in healthcare reform.”
The statement conveyed a deep-seated anger among healthcare workers, who feel betrayed and undermined. It described the situation as a “slow erosion of trust and dignity,” warning of dire consequences for any future healthcare reform.
The union accused the ministry of adopting a corporate management style that lacks the sensitivity required for a vital and socially essential sector like healthcare.
The organization demanded the immediate implementation of the agreement’s provisions, which include improving working conditions and valuing healthcare workers’ contributions.
“We cannot tolerate this repeated exploitation, which damages our credibility and insults the dignity of our healthcare professionals,” the statement explains.
The strike marks the beginning of a “new phase” of protest, as the Coordination vowed to escalate its actions if necessary. On a concluding note, the union wrote: “We have given ample notice. The responsibility now lies with the government.”