Health workers demand higher pay, release of incentives

As the country observed Health Workers’ Day on Wednesday, a group of health-care workers reiterated their demands for a wage increase, better working conditions and the release of their long-overdue benefits.

Members of the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) unions aired their concerns during a “noise barrage protest” held in front of the Philippine Orthopedic Center in Quezon City during their lunch break.

“Health workers, along with other government employees, are currently not receiving a living wage. A Salary Grade 1 employee in a public hospital earns only P13,500 per month, which is nearly one-third of the P33,000 monthly living wage calculated for a family of five,” said Ricardo Antonio, National Orthopedic Hospital Union-AHW president.

“In fact, even the P33,000 figure only covers the most basic expenses, including the lowest monthly rent, food, utilities, clothing, transportation and public education amid the rising costs of goods and services. Notably, this amount does not account for health care or recreational expenses,” he said.

Health-care workers have been demanding entry-level salaries of P33,000 for private and public health workers and P50,000 for nurses and other allied health professionals such as medical technologists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, radiologic technologists, dietitians and physical therapists.

Subject to taxes

While the AHW welcomed the salary increases to be implemented from 2024 to 2027 under President Marcos’ Executive Order No. 64, it noted that these were subject to various taxes.

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“Even the benefits that are supposed to serve as incentives are being used to supplement the shortfall in [our] wages, yet these too are subject to tax deductions. As a result, health workers are left with only a small amount of their salary or, worse, none at all,” said Paul Gubaton, president of the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center Employees Union-AHW.

According to the group, severe understaffing and the contractualization of personnel are rampant in public and private hospitals, which contribute to the poor quality of health-care services.

“The dire conditions of health workers have not improved under President Marcos Jr.’s nearly three-year tenure; in fact, they’ve worsened. This has resulted in a depleted, demoralized and burned-out workforce, with many resigning or retiring early due to low wages, unpaid benefits, lack of job security and unsafe workplace,” AHW said.