Mongolian health workers demand decent pay and living conditions
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(2008) The Federation of Public Employees Trade Union (FPETU) and the Medical Employees Trade Union Federation (METUF) jointly organised a national campaign planning workshop for the health sector workers under the PSI/FNV/SASK gender and health project. The three day workshop was held from 8 to 10 September 2008 at Ulaanbaatar Mongolia, the coldest capital of the country. Amidst torrent rains and blood curdling cold, 35 women and men from various health cadres discussed the situation of the health workers and developed an action plan for a national campaign. They focused on implementing the health policy, increasing the health budget, updating the health infrastructures, removing inequities, giving more attention to the rural/provincial public health services. The workshop agreed that the budget allocated is very marginal, which is causing the deterioration of public services in general and especially public health services. The workers in the provincial areas suffer the most because they depend on the cities for essential commodities and have trouble making ends meet. The workshop proposed to hold a demonstration on 14 September and will continue the campaign in various places. The workshop also supported the idea of presenting a joint memorandum to the various ministries. The participants unanimously agreed that quality public health services can only be achieved through a dedicated public sector and efficient workers. To maintain a qualified workforce decent pay and working conditions are the basic requirement. The health workers' unions are supported by the CMTU (the national centre of the Mongolia). Ms. Dunga, National Women Committee Secretary, attended the workshop and detailed the gender policies of the CMTU. A presentation on globalisation and its impact on the public services generated animated discussion among the participants. Ms. Altansetseg Magvan, President of the FPETU, coordinated the workshop and provided documents and materials on the FPETU campaign on pay equity and maternity protection. She also presented the ILO Conventions related to core labour standards and the need for trade unions to be informed on the implementation of national laws.
Mongolian health workers march for better wages and working conditions
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(2010) PSI affiliate the Medical Employees Trade Union Federation of Mongolia (METUF) has been in negotiations with the government since 1st April 2010. The union is demanding a salary increase for its members, and that health sector working conditions and social welfare issues be integrated into health sector reform and new legislation. Health sector workers in Mongolia earn an average of US$ 170 per month.
More than 5000 doctors, nurses and other health care workers demonstrated in front of the Health Ministry and in Ulaanbaatar’s main square. After receiving the demonstrators’ written demands, the Government representatives met the METUF delegation.
Following similar demands from the national centre, Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions (CMTU) and other union federations, the government organised a tripartite negotiation, and on 27 April the government and the employers’ association offered a 30 percent wage increase from 1st October 2010. METUF will continue its struggle to obtain better conditions for its members.