State hospitals do not want 25% raise

Union Chairman Imro Edam recently expalined that it would not be wise for hospital workers to accept the 25% raise because it would have negative impact on their nett salaries.

Edam who is the chairman at the union of the ’s Lands Hospital pointed out that he has sent a letter to the minister of Finance, asking for the raise to be put on hold and for the talks to take place. The union chairman also pointed out that the salary raise has not been included on this month’s salaries because the government does not pay the workers directly but because the workers are paid by the hospital directors. If the hospitals give the workers the raise now, the people will not get the extra money because the Tax Office will deduct everything. That is why the union decided to delay the raise so that things can be organized better. Edam made it clear that it would be senseless for the people to fight for the raise now because everything will go to the Tax Office. Edam also explained that not all of the hospitals can pay the raise immediately which is why the government must pitch in but in the short term the hospitals must cover the salaries from their own pocket. The unions will reportedly meet with the Health minister on Thursday. Edam pointed out that the workers do not have to take action because there is no reason for the government to pay the raise. “Things must be analyzed thoroughly before the raise must be paid. “The Tax Office could deduct much money which is why it could seem as if the workers did not get a raise.” The state hospitals are: ’s Lands Hospital, the Academic Hospital Paramaribo (AZP), the Psychiatric Center Suriname (PCS) and the Mungra Medical Center.