Nurses at GPHC join in the strike for better pay and risk allowance

Over 100 nurses supported by a few doctors from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) staged a protest action Friday morning on East Street in Georgetown for a 50% increase in salaries, risk allowances, pension, gratuities and other benefits.

The protest comes after nurses in Linden, the West Bank and the West Coast of Demerara held similar protests on Wednesday and Thursday.

The nurses at GPHC threatened that if their demands are not met they will not be working. Their position is that since they are essential workers during the pandemic they should have essential pay.

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday asked the nurses to be patient until the budget is passed.

The budget is expected to be passed Friday in the National assembly and the Health Minister said some $150M have been allocated to pay risk allowances to health workers.