They say the government has failed to respect the terms of an agreement signed last May.

The National Union of Health Workers in Gabon, SYNAPS, on Monday, July 28, 2014, embarked on an indefinite strike over unpaid allowances, agency reports said. The unionists opted for the industrial action after a General Assembly meeting on Saturday, July 26, 2014.

Among their demands, the workers say government has not yet started paying the motivation and output allowance as well as granting them easier access to training schools. According to SYNAPS Secretary General, Serghes Mikala Moundanga, they would only resume work after their demands have been met.

Union members claim that they have met the criteria outlined by the authorities for writing entrance examinations into professional schools for further training, but their concerns have not been taken into account in the current restructuring of the health sector. They have therefore appealed to President Ali Bongo Ondimba and the National Agency for Major Public Works Projects, ANGT, to ensure the rehabilitation of health schools for training to resume.

“It is inadmissible to open more hospitals without ensuring refresher courses for the staff. With such a situation, it is difficult for us to supervise medical students who spend most of their time with us as from the fourth year of studies,” explained union leader, Serghes Mikala Moundanga.

Gabon last October introduced a single, universal health care system that will eventually serve the entire population. The country began rolling out its National Insurance and Social Welfare Fund, CNAMGS, in 2008, as part of broader efforts to improve the standards of living. Initially focused on providing insurance for the most vulnerable citizens, the programme was extended in 2011 to cover government workers. A further development in 2013 saw the scheme opened up to private sector workers, who were previously protected under the National Social Security Fund.