Showdown! Minister ignores Prime Minister, threatens nurses

HEALTH Minister Dr Richard Kamwi yesterday vowed to take action against nurses who take part in today’s mass demonstration despite a suggestion by Prime Minister Nahas Angula that he meet with the Namibia Nurses Union (Nanu).

Kamwi told a media briefing in Windhoek late yesterday that any nurse taking part in the demonstration during working hours would be charged with negligence. “Abandoning patients is negligence.They shall be held criminally liable,” Kamwi said.Nanu Secretary General Abner Shopati immediately hit back.He said that “any action will be met by action”.”Nurses won’t be intimidated.He [Kamwi] has ignored direction by the Prime Minister.We demand that action be taken against him,” Shopati responded.Nanu provided The Namibian with a copy of a letter which Prime Minister Angula wrote to Kamwi suggesting that he, “in the context of Article 21 (d) and (e) of the Namibian Constitution” meet with the union provided that Nanu cancel today’s demonstration.Kamwi said he was not aware of such a letter but Angula confirmed he wrote it.”I did write a letter to him.I suggested that the Ministry must inform the nurses about the procedures they must follow.But he has the right to ignore my suggestion,” Angula told The Namibian.The Prime Minister said the nurses “had the right to demonstrate if they wish to do so”.Both Kamwi and Permanent Secretary Dr Kalumbi Shangula said nurses not on duty were at liberty to demonstrate but must do so far from patients.The Minister accused Nanu of going beyond the actions of a trade union.”Trade unions do negotiate.They don’t fight or engage in personal attacks,” Kamwi said.Nanu has tried to negotiate with Government, but the Ministry of Health has said that it is not a bargaining agent.Kamwi said yesterday that nursing was a calling and that the demonstration was motivated by self-interest.”I wish to call on the nurses to listen to the voice of reason and not to allow themselves to be misled by individuals who may have their own agendas,” Kamwi said.He said the Ministry was not asked for permission and had not granted any for the demonstration.”Those who make themselves guilty will bear the consequences,” he said.He said the interests of patients were paramount and none must be left unattended.Shopati said skeleton staff would remain in wards to take care of patients while the rest take part in the peaceful demonstration to air their grievances over disputed non-payment of overtime for work done on Sundays and public holidays.Shangula said Government employees were supposed to work 40 hours in a week – meaning eight hours every day.Anything beyond that was regarded as overtime.In the past, he said, some nurses would start their shifts on a Thursday and continue their eight hours a day through to Monday but claim for overtime for work done on Sundays.”They worked their normal eight hours on a Sunday but claimed it as overtime and that was wrong.Now they don’t get that double on Sundays and are unhappy,” Shangula said.Kamwi said the fault was detected and the correction made.”Government does not owe anybody.If Government does owe you, you will be paid.If you are on the wrong side, you must pay back,” the Minister said.He appealed for calm and mutual respect.In their response to Prime Minister Angula’s letter, Nanu had given Kamwi until 19h00 yesterday to respond or face the demonstration.Shopati said they only demanded dignity and respect during the discussions.”Abandoning patients is negligence.They shall be held criminally liable,” Kamwi said.Nanu Secretary General Abner Shopati immediately hit back.He said that “any action will be met by action”.”Nurses won’t be intimidated.He [Kamwi] has ignored direction by the Prime Minister.We demand that action be taken against him,” Shopati responded.Nanu provided The Namibian with a copy of a letter which Prime Minister Angula wrote to Kamwi suggesting that he, “in the context of Article 21 (d) and (e) of the Namibian Constitution” meet with the union provided that Nanu cancel today’s demonstration.Kamwi said he was not aware of such a letter but Angula confirmed he wrote it. “I did write a letter to him.I suggested that the Ministry must inform the nurses about the procedures they must follow.But he has the right to ignore my suggestion,” Angula told The Namibian.The Prime Minister said the nurses “had the right to demonstrate if they wish to do so”.Both Kamwi and Permanent Secretary Dr Kalumbi Shangula said nurses not on duty were at liberty to demonstrate but must do so far from patients.The Minister accused Nanu of going beyond the actions of a trade union.”Trade unions do negotiate.They don’t fight or engage in personal attacks,” Kamwi said.Nanu has tried to negotiate with Government, but the Ministry of Health has said that it is not a bargaining agent.Kamwi said yesterday that nursing was a calling and that the demonstration was motivated by self-interest.”I wish to call on the nurses to listen to the voice of reason and not to allow themselves to be misled by individuals who may have their own agendas,” Kamwi said.He said the Ministry was not asked for permission and had not granted any for the demonstration.”Those who make themselves guilty will bear the consequences,” he said.He said the interests of patients were paramount and none must be left unattended.Shopati said skeleton staff would remain in wards to take care of patients while the rest take part in the peaceful demonstration to air their grievances over disputed non-payment of overtime for work done on Sundays and public holidays.Shangula said Government employees were supposed to work 40 hours in a week – meaning eight hours every day.Anything beyond that was regarded as overtime.In the past, he said, some nurses would start their shifts on a Thursday and continue their eight hours a day through to Monday but claim for overtime for work done on Sundays.”They worked their normal eight hours on a Sunday but claimed it as overtime and that was wrong.Now they don’t get that double on Sundays and are unhappy,” Shangula said.Kamwi said the fault was detected and the correction made.”Government does not owe anybody.If Government does owe you, you will be paid.If you are on the wrong side, you must pay back,” the Minister said.He appealed for calm and mutual respect.In their response to Prime Minister Angula’s letter, Nanu had given Kamwi until 19h00 yesterday to respond or face the demonstration.Shopati said they only demanded dignity and respect during the discussions.