Health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have begun striking over unpaid wages and bonuses, jeopardizing efforts to control the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the country's Ituri province. The workers, who are on the front lines of the epidemic, allege they have not received payments since the outbreak was declared on May 15, and report working with insufficient protective equipment.
In Ituri, the most affected province, health professionals and other essential workers have expressed frustration over delayed compensation and what they describe as unfair treatment by authorities and response teams. Dr. Biensi Kano, a member of the epidemiological surveillance committee in Bunia, the provincial capital, stated that demands for payment have been ongoing. "The non-payment of benefits exposes us and our families to significant socio-economic difficulties and seriously undermines our living conditions," Kano said.
An official notice issued over the weekend warned of a strike if wages were not paid within 24 hours. By Tuesday, some workers had already ceased their duties, though no official strike had been declared. The striking personnel include those involved in community outreach, safety and security, and the burial of Ebola victims.
This action comes as the outbreak intensifies. Latest government data indicates 1,708 recorded cases, with 580 deaths. Health authorities noted that the first month of this outbreak was the worst on record. The strike also coincides with the commencement of clinical trials for a new treatment for the Bundibugyo virus strain responsible for the current epidemic.
The World Health Organization representative in Congo, Dr. Anne Ancia, reported that the virus continues to spread, exacerbated by population movements and insecurity. Some treatment centers are reportedly at near-full capacity.
Officials in Ituri acknowledged the payment delays, citing issues with the closure of Bunia airport as a factor hampering the flow of funds. Akilimali Pierre, incident manager at Congo’s National Institute of Public Health, indicated that these financial challenges may be contributing to the payment backlog and stated that the workers' concerns are being addressed.
Some striking workers organized a protest outside the Rwampara Ebola treatment center, reportedly setting tires ablaze before police intervened. Beyond pay disputes, health workers also contend with hostility from some residents and skepticism regarding the virus's existence. Dr. Ben Bakule, a community investigator, recounted an incident in late May where he and colleagues were attacked while tracing contacts of a confirmed case.
"We spend money on transport to get to work. We thought we’d be rewarded. At the moment, nothing is going right because we’re not being paid. We don’t deserve this sort of treatment," Bakule said. "We might have to give up our jobs. These are risks we’re taking. We risk dying for nothing. This government wants this epidemic to continue," he added.
In June, Congo's Minister of Health, Roger Kamba, had assured response teams that their working conditions were a priority and that sufficient funds were allocated for their support. However, front-line workers maintain that the reality on the ground differs significantly from these assurances.
Dr. Ghislain Maneba, an epidemiologist and community investigator, expressed his dismay: "We are doing everything we can to make the public understand how dangerous this disease is. I came here to save people’s lives, but this is how I am being thanked. We are working day and night without being paid."
The strike has raised concerns among residents of Ituri, who are already grappling with economic hardship due to outbreak containment measures. Bunia resident Anifa Kito voiced fears that the disruption of response efforts could further complicate daily life and urged authorities to resolve the situation promptly.