By MORRIS NAFU
The Solomon Islands Nursing Association (SINA) has issued a 28-day strike notice to the Government effective September 4 to October 1.
This followed a failed dialogue with the Ministry of Public Service and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) over the association’s complaints pertaining the leadership style of the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).
The MHMS has not responded to the paper’s attempts for a comment.
It is understood the country’s trade union has voiced support for the nurses.
SINA said the issue has been dragged for almost six months without reaching a decision.
SINA said the reason that made the administration to issue the notice of the industrial action is rooted on a simple administrative decision error that should have been resolved at the Ministry and Division level under the jurisdictions of responsible PS through an open consultation and arrangement with responsible division but carelessly allowed to escalate further and demand the industrial action to resolve.
SINA argued that the administration decision error involves the interim engagement of the supervising national director of nursing when the post was left vacant early March 2025.
SINA said the position is the highest position in the nursing cadre that has important responsibilities in representing nurses’ voices in the senior executive level, regional and global nursing profession.
SINA added that the appointment involves an officer who has not met the prescribed selection criteria as stated in the position description and also with the purpose which deviated from national and nursing professional interests.
The decision was viewed as not complying with standard process of engaging to supervise high structure, undermining the nursed cadre highest position for a purpose that is not of national interest, none alignment with the division’s succession plan and hierarchical structure, undervaluing the ling serving senior nurses’ regulatory requirement and nurses division and none compliance with the Nurses regulatory requirement and nurses SOS.
The matter was brought forward to the PS of the Public Service Ministry and the Public Service Chairman but was denied action stating the Nursing Management Advisory Group has not fully justified what was viewed as a decision that lacked due diligence and ignored the negative consequences that such decision will directly affect the welfare of nurses and will have a spillover effect to nursing practices and patient safety.
The matter was referred to SINA to challenge the decision under the Union Jurisdiction.
The matter was presented to the OPMC through the Chief of Staff on April 23, 2025 for review and validation of the report.
The matter was elevated to the OPMC Management under the leadership of the special Secretary to the Prime Minister (SSPM) and Secretary to Cabinet (STC) however the matter took a month before a decision that only addressed one of SINA’s demands was made.
While SINA acknowledged the decision, it said the decision to revoke the appointment of the interim engagement of the supervising National Director of Nursing alone will not fully address the matter of important concerns that was brought to the attention of the MPS and OPMC.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Public Service Luke Cheka confirmed to Island Sun having received SINA’s strike notice on September 4.
“The Government, through the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC), the Ministry of Public Service (MPS), and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), has taken cognizance of the matters raised by SINA and is presently determining ways to resolve these issues before the expiration of the strike notice period,” he said.
Cheka reiterated government’s its commitment to constructive dialogue with all stakeholders. At the same time, measures are being put in place to ensure the continuity of essential services, particularly in the health sector, to safeguard the well-being of the public.
The Government calls on all parties to exercise patience and good faith while discussions are underway.
