Medical interns march in protest of alleged unfair labour practices
Threaten to refuse overtime work
Fed-up medical interns based in Windhoek marched to the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday, threatening to work strictly according to legal hours if their demands – outlined in a petition – are not met within five days.
The group said they have reached breaking point and threatened that, if their concerns are not addressed, they will enforce their rights under the Labour Act by limiting their work days to an eight-hour shift and a 40-hour week, with no after-hours duties.
Among the concerns listed in their petition were unhealthy and unhygienic working conditions, unpaid overtime, drastic pay cuts and policies that contradict labour laws.
"Coming out today to protest against emotional and psychological abuse, despite being threatened by our medical officers not to, demonstrates just how fed up we are as medical interns," an intern said during the protest.
Labour laws
This is not the first time the interns have taken action against the health ministry.
In December 2021, over 70 medical applicants lodged a dispute with the Office of the Labour Commissioner.
Following this, in November last year, an arbitration award was granted by the labour commissioner, Kyliki Sihlala, who ruled that professional medical intern doctors are considered employees.
The petition was handed over to Romanus Kawana, the deputy executive director at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Read by Dr Linford Rhodes, the petition noted that the health ministry had argued that doctors in training were not entitled to overtime pay since they were not classified as government employees.
"However, following the ruling, the health ministry conceded and chose not to challenge the decision, as it affirms that professional medical intern doctors are entitled to overtime compensation," said Rhodes.
Kawana assured the protestors that the petition would be delivered to the relevant parties.
"We have received the petition. At this point, all we can confirm is that it will be handed to the necessary parties, and we will revert soonest."
Drastic allowance cut
The Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) stipulates that internship training for medical interns should last a minimum of two to three years, with extensions available if the training is not completed within three years.
"However, it has become standard practice to extend internships after two years, leading to a significant reduction in the allowance for those continuing their training into a third year, with their monthly allowance dropping from N$28 165.34 to N$2 244.00 without any new contracts signed," Rhodes said on Tuesday.
He added that, nevertheless, despite the steep drop in allowance, "third year students are still required to work the same hours and perform the same duties".
Interns who spoke on condition of anonymity explained that those who have to extend their rotation to a third year are still required to work the same hours as before, but they earn a significantly lower allowance each month and no longer receive the benefits compared to the first years when they earned a basic salary, fixed overtime, and additional benefits.
"And we work long hours under difficult conditions, so it's absolutely necessary," an intern noted.
Rhodes also said the interns are calling for the recognition of HPCNA standards in professional training and the avoidance of uncompensated overtime.
They also seek the implementation of clear, fair policies that align with the Labour Act, Public Service Staff Rules (PSSR), and HPCNA guidelines, ensuring fair compensation for all.
Furthermore, they emphasised the importance of acknowledging the critical role interns play in healthcare delivery and called for the provision of the necessary resources and conditions to support their work.
'Tormenting our children'
A mother, who joined the interns in support of her two children who are medical interns, said the alleged abuse and stress her children face from medical officers at Katutura and Windhoek Central Hospitals, where they do their rotations, has significantly affected their family dynamics.
She requested to speak anonymously, explaining that revealing her identity or that of her children would jeopardise their ability to complete their internship.
"I have funded both my children's medical fees, with no student assistance from NSFAF," she said. "My children barely spend time at home, and when they do, they are too tired to even eat. As a result, they have lost weight. My daughter had to take a six-month break from school and only resumed this year. These people are tormenting our children, who truly work hard, while we, as parents, invest so much money and resources into them. This needs to change."
The group said they have reached breaking point and threatened that, if their concerns are not addressed, they will enforce their rights under the Labour Act by limiting their work days to an eight-hour shift and a 40-hour week, with no after-hours duties.
Among the concerns listed in their petition were unhealthy and unhygienic working conditions, unpaid overtime, drastic pay cuts and policies that contradict labour laws.
"Coming out today to protest against emotional and psychological abuse, despite being threatened by our medical officers not to, demonstrates just how fed up we are as medical interns," an intern said during the protest.
Labour laws
This is not the first time the interns have taken action against the health ministry.
In December 2021, over 70 medical applicants lodged a dispute with the Office of the Labour Commissioner.
Following this, in November last year, an arbitration award was granted by the labour commissioner, Kyliki Sihlala, who ruled that professional medical intern doctors are considered employees.
The petition was handed over to Romanus Kawana, the deputy executive director at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Read by Dr Linford Rhodes, the petition noted that the health ministry had argued that doctors in training were not entitled to overtime pay since they were not classified as government employees.
"However, following the ruling, the health ministry conceded and chose not to challenge the decision, as it affirms that professional medical intern doctors are entitled to overtime compensation," said Rhodes.
Kawana assured the protestors that the petition would be delivered to the relevant parties.
"We have received the petition. At this point, all we can confirm is that it will be handed to the necessary parties, and we will revert soonest."
Drastic allowance cut
The Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) stipulates that internship training for medical interns should last a minimum of two to three years, with extensions available if the training is not completed within three years.
"However, it has become standard practice to extend internships after two years, leading to a significant reduction in the allowance for those continuing their training into a third year, with their monthly allowance dropping from N$28 165.34 to N$2 244.00 without any new contracts signed," Rhodes said on Tuesday.
He added that, nevertheless, despite the steep drop in allowance, "third year students are still required to work the same hours and perform the same duties".
Interns who spoke on condition of anonymity explained that those who have to extend their rotation to a third year are still required to work the same hours as before, but they earn a significantly lower allowance each month and no longer receive the benefits compared to the first years when they earned a basic salary, fixed overtime, and additional benefits.
"And we work long hours under difficult conditions, so it's absolutely necessary," an intern noted.
Rhodes also said the interns are calling for the recognition of HPCNA standards in professional training and the avoidance of uncompensated overtime.
They also seek the implementation of clear, fair policies that align with the Labour Act, Public Service Staff Rules (PSSR), and HPCNA guidelines, ensuring fair compensation for all.
Furthermore, they emphasised the importance of acknowledging the critical role interns play in healthcare delivery and called for the provision of the necessary resources and conditions to support their work.
'Tormenting our children'
A mother, who joined the interns in support of her two children who are medical interns, said the alleged abuse and stress her children face from medical officers at Katutura and Windhoek Central Hospitals, where they do their rotations, has significantly affected their family dynamics.
She requested to speak anonymously, explaining that revealing her identity or that of her children would jeopardise their ability to complete their internship.
"I have funded both my children's medical fees, with no student assistance from NSFAF," she said. "My children barely spend time at home, and when they do, they are too tired to even eat. As a result, they have lost weight. My daughter had to take a six-month break from school and only resumed this year. These people are tormenting our children, who truly work hard, while we, as parents, invest so much money and resources into them. This needs to change."
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article