KHMHA Workers Union Stages Protest to Demand Pension Benefits  

On Saturday, around thirty members of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union staged a brief walk-out and protest on the hospital grounds. They’re calling on the government to bring back a pension scheme for them, like what other public health workers have. News Five has learned that the union members plan to give up their lunch break on Wednesday for another protest. This comes ahead of a meeting between Ministry of Health employees and union leaders. During Saturday’s protest, Union President Andrew Baird told reporters they’re fed up with talking about the same issue. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

 

Andrew Baird, President, K.H.M.H. Workers Union

“We don’t have to sit down and dialogue. All the Prime Minister has to do is the stroke of a pen. So, put me back in our pension scheme, that government, the free pension that the public officers receive. We are public officers by the virtue of what we do.  While our colleagues in the other hospital are receiving a nice pension, the employees in the other public hospital, the employees of the only National Referral Center are without a pension. So the government is to come to the table or else we will have to take the necessary step. We are not going to back down until we get our pension.”

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

On Saturday, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Workers Union, led by President Andrew Baird, issued a press release demanding the government set up a pension scheme for hospital employees. The release explains that since K.H.M.H became an authority, its workers have made the same sacrifices as other public sector employees but still face uncertainty about their retirement. It highlights a Provident Fund for employees hired from January 1, 2018, but notes that those who have served for over twenty years have no retirement plan. The last pension negotiation meeting was in October 2023, with no meaningful progress despite repeated efforts. Now, the employees are insisting their pension concerns be addressed.

 

Member, K.H.M.H Workers Union

“I just want my pension all the way to the hotel today like Mr. Baird said. I just need my pension, you know. I just want my pension, I think, just that. How much, how much does it mean for you, you are not 20 years old? Well, I got asthma, all of that. I have a health problem and I still live with all of that. Many days of work, I think. You know, all the way there. So we, we do know we don’t have problems. I think we need a pension. That’s what I got to say. We don’t work for it, you know? We deserve it. We want our pension now! Today! Before election! What do we want? Pension! When do we want it? Now!”

 

Lydia Blake shares that she’s been braving the challenges as a healthcare worker at K.H.M.H since 2013.

 

Lydia Blake, Member, K.H.M.H Workers Union

“ I have served in the government. My pension is there waiting for me when I’m 55. Two more years, Jules.  But if I stay with Kush, I could work till I 62 and I get an next pension because the Prime Minister believes when I went to a meeting with him in December of 2021. 2020 even remember the a o he promised us after. We don’t put everything, all the things on paper there. Yes, you guys deserve a pension.  Uno, go get the numbers, I’ll find the money. It’s 2025. And we still not reach our table for sign.”

 

News Five understands that a meeting is scheduled for the union leaders and representatives of the Ministry of Health but that the union plans to hold another protest on Wednesday at midday.  Marion Ali for News Five.