Rabat – Morocco’s Independent National Nurses’ Union (INNU) continues to press forward in its demands as it denounces the “government’s silence” and “evasion tactics.”
In an announcement on Saturday, the union expressed its frustration over the “lack of response from government officials regarding pending issues within the healthcare sector.”
The statement highlighted several issues, including authorities’ refusal to allow peaceful protests and the abrupt transfer of healthcare institutions to the private sector “under the guise of innovative financing.”
“We condemn the suppression of our march towards the Ministry on February 24, 2024, and the mistreatment of our activists on March 6, 2024, in front of the Ministry,” the statement said.
In addition, the INNU voiced its rejection of “unilateral approaches in passing Ministerial Decision No. 2808.23, which impacts the classification of medical professions.”
In addition, they demanded that the Minister of Health rescind the decision and involve nursing and health technicians in the decision-making process.
“We reaffirm our commitment to all the achievements of public service, including job security, and centralized wages, and reject any attempt to burden nursing staff with the government’s shortcomings,” INNU maintained in its statement.
The union notably announced a 72-hour nationwide strike from March 26 to 28. However, emergency services will remain operational during the strike period.
INNU also plans to organize regional protests, including marches and sit-ins, alongside the strike. They pledged to continue to wear black armbands in healthcare facilities as a symbol of discontent.
Meanwhile, there are plans to keep members informed and involved through interactive seminars and direct communication through official union channels.
Morocco’s healthcare sector has been hit with a series of strikes in recent months, with health workers decrying low wages and recent government policies aiming to reform the sector.
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