The Ministry of Health has denied reports that the night-duty allowance for technical staff in the health sector, including doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians, has been reduced, saying the claims circulating are untrue and that no allowance is being cut.
Background
Under the National Pay Framework, implemented with the major revision to health sector salaries in May 2023, staff who work night shifts are entitled to an allowance of MVR 100.
However, dissatisfaction and concern spread among health workers after claims that the allowance had been reduced to MVR 60 last month.
What the Health Ministry said
- No reduction: The ministry said no employee's night-duty allowance has been reduced, and that staff will continue to be paid the MVR 100 allowance as before.
- Purpose of the pay framework change: The ministry clarified that, rather than cutting the allowance, the main aim of the recent amendment was to extend the allowance to other health sector staff who did not previously receive it.
- Cause of the confusion: According to the government, the reports spread among staff and the public because of incorrect information given to employees by the management of Hulhumalé Hospital and an administrative mix-up. The government said the administrative error has now been corrected.
Staff concerns
Amid the dispute, doctors and nurses working in the health sector also highlighted the workload and other challenges they face.
- Heavy workload: Staff noted that although fewer employees work night shifts, the number of patients coming to hospitals during those hours, in both emergency and non-emergency cases, is not small.
- Staff shortages: Staff said that because of shortages of doctors and nurses at some hospitals, they have to report for duty even on their days off after working six days a week.
With the Health Ministry's decision and clarification, health workers have been assured that they will continue to receive MVR 100 as the night-duty allowance, as before.
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