Tezikuba argues because of the nonpayment of their salaries, the cleaners are unable to provide for their families and send their children to school.
Cleaners at Iganga Hospital have laid down their tools over salary arrears. They laid down their tools on Monday morning demanding for their pay. Led by Abbey Tezikuba, who was contracted to clean Iganga hospital, the workers say management owes them 8 million shillings that has accumulated over the last five months.
Tezikuba argues that because of the nonpayment of their salaries, the cleaners are unable to provide for their families and send their children to school. Sarah Wotali, a single mother of four children says they are working each day and return home empty handed. In addition, the workers also want the hospital management to increase their pay from 40,000 shillings each month to 70,000 shillings.
Dr. Steven Waako, the acting medical director Iganga Hospital attributes the delay in the payment of the casual laborers to late release of funds by the finance ministry. He has promised to find ways to resolve the confusion immediately to avoid an outbreak of communicable diseases in the hospital.
The sanitary conditions at the hospital have deteriorated as the wards have not been cleaned since Friday evening.
Aldon Walukamba
Freelancer