Healthcare workers to go on strike against unpaid salaries in the Trans-Baikal region
Healthcare workers in the Trans-Baikal region are threatening to go on strike this Monday, September 14, in protest against wage arrears now plaguing the region. Evgeniya Rogaleva, the chairman of a local labor union, announced the planned work stoppage, saying roughly 100 medical employees are expected to take part.
"Many of our colleagues haven't even been able to get their kids school supplies, and everyone is already overdue on loan and mortgage payments, and the interest is accruing on unpaid utility bills," Rogaleva said.
Workers from local orphanages and children's clinics are expected to join the strike at a later stage.
“What can you say to a nurse who earns 13,000 rubles a month and never gets it? Everybody has families at home and a mountain of financial obligations. People are quitting their jobs, saying it's better to sit at home,” Rogaleva explained.
- Due to budget shortfalls, state authorities in the Trans-Baikal region have suspended all salaries and vacation pay to employees at medical facilities in the area. The region's doctors have still not received pay for August, summer vacation has been paid only partly, and there are also wage arrears dating back to July.