Lab attendants call off their strike after meeting Minister Muruli Mukasa

In Summary
  • Minister Muruli Mukasa committed to  address their grievances .
  • The attendants  were protesting delayed pay , and poor working conditions among others.
  • They will now be  earning a monthly salary of 3.3 million Shillings,
Public Service Minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa
Public Service Minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa
Image: Courtesy photo

Laboratory Attendants under Uganda Medical Laboratory Technology Association- UMLTA have called off their industrial action after the government promised to address their grievances within one month.

Dr.Yusufu Muyingo the spokesperson of the association said they had a meeting with the minister of public service Hon.Muruli Mukasa this week who committed to work on their issues.

The attendants announced their industrial action on 21st December 2022 protesting delayed pay , refusal to compensate their fellow attendants who died during COVID-19 , and poor working conditions among others.

Muyingo added that the minister assured them that the ministry of health together with the ministry of finance will hold more discussion over issues affecting medical laboratory practitioners to improve their working conditions.

He is now appealing to all laboratory Attendants working in government facilities to return back to their respective work places starting 15th January to serve the people.

The Lab techs say they also agreed that starting with the coming Financial Year 2022/2023, they will start earning a salary categorized as medical one in Public Service structures from medical two that they are currently categorized under.

Under medical one, they will be earning a monthly salary of 3.3 million Shillings, an increment from 2.2 million Shillings, according to UMLTA’s Vice President Patrick Wabuyi.

He however adds that his colleagues have not been earning the old salary too because the government has to date not been recognizing degree holder lab techs.

They have all been earning a salary of a diploma holder amounting to 1.2 milliom Shillings.