Doctors, pharmacists posed to stage sit-ins [Archives:2006/954/Local News]

SANA'A, June 7 – Physicians and pharmacists have threatened to hold a series of sits-in to protest to what they consider is the government's lack of commitment towards the demands of health sector employees. The Union of Physicians and Pharmacists called upon all heath sector personnel to prepare to stage a sit-in as a first step in series of protest activities contained in their campaign.

The statement, issued by the Higher Executive Office of the union and published on the RayNews.net, pointed out that the protests must be carried-out in the interest of the people, the profession, and the future. The statement further mentioned that nothing substantial had been realized since promises were made a year ago by the prime minister suggesting that steps would be taken to create a degree of equity among physicians and pharmacists. Moreover, the Minister of the Civil Service hinted that their situation would improve when the new scale of wages and salaries went into effect.

Workers in the health sector demand the implementation of a just compensation structure for doctors and pharmacists along with the improvement of conditions that health sector employees work in. Additionally, they want to maintain their right to choose their own representatives and the non-interference of the government, or any biased party, in this right. Their reaction is a demarche to the General People's Congress (GPC), which has lately been accused of interventions in professional and trade unions. Lastly, health sector workers also demand the return of their union's stolen possessions.

The importance of the government's adoption of $200 (USD) as the minimum salary level for Yemenis who have undertaken specialized studies domestically-as is currently case with Yemenis who have pursued their studies abroad)was stressed by the Union.

The Union also demanded the employment of all unemployed doctors, pharmacists, and technicians in all areas of expertise. The statement disclosed that Yemen needs upwards of 40,000 doctors, pharmacists, and dentists according to international standards. The number of doctors practicing in Yemen presently does not exceed 6,000 doctors, according to Ministry of Health statistics.

The Union of Physicians and Pharmacists demanded the immediate replacement of foreign personnel with nationals as the jobs reserved for foreigners amounts to double the number reserved for Yemenis.
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