The Nepalese healthcare and care workers are getting ready to confront the COVID19 pandemic. As the outbreak unfolds in the South Asian country, their union UNIPHIN is putting forth a list of demands to ensure caregivers and care receivers are protected against the virus.
An important win is already on the way: comprehensive health insurance for all staff. “This important demand was fulfilled by the government providing insurance worth NPR 2,500,000.00 for each of the health workers in the country,” said UNIPHIN President Prithivi Thapalya.
The union is also demanding that the employers respect the following measures:
- They must provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all the staff on duty.
- Deploy minimum number of nurses and paramedics
- Provide double pay
UNIPHIN is also circulating health and safety guidelines to prevent COVID-19 among its medical and non-medical members.
“Unions are playing a vital role to ensure that our society sticks together in these difficult times and UNIPHIN if doing it’s part to ensure that Nepal beat the coronavirus and protects workers and patients alike, said Christy Hoffman General Secretary of UNI Global Union.
