The deadlock between health sector trade unions and the Ministry of Finance continues as talks aimed at resolving the ongoing dispute over allowances have failed. Consequently, 72 health sector trade unions, excluding doctors’ unions, have announced plans to initiate an indefinite strike starting from 6:30 a.m. (February 13).

The decision comes after a meeting this morning between representatives of the Finance Ministry and the trade unions regarding the demand for extending the Disturbance, Availability & Transport (DAT) allowance to all healthcare personnel yielded no agreement.

The catalyst for this action traces back to January 8, when the Cabinet of Ministers approved doubling the DAT allowance for government doctors. This unilateral decision led to discontent among other health workers, prompting a series of trade union actions.

Various health sector professionals, including radiology and laboratory technicians, pharmacists, midwives, Public Health Inspectors, and entomology officers, have repeatedly engaged in strikes to protest the allowance discrepancy and advocate for equitable treatment.