BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions) stands in full solidarity with the Solomon Islands Nurses Association (SINA) and its recent media statement in regards to unresolved industrial issues affecting the nation’s nursing workforce.
In a statement released by SICTU yesterday, SICTU said it notes with grave concern that the 28-day strike notice issued by SINA on 23rd April 2026 has now passed the halfway mark, with 17 days elapsed.
“Despite formal advice from the Attorney General’s office, SINA has rightly stood its ground, confirming that its notice fully complies with the Essential Services and Trade Dispute Act.
“SICTU commends SINA for its principled position and for declining to withdraw the notice without genuine resolution,” the statement said.
SICTU also acknowledges SINA’s clear disassociation of its demands from the current political crisis.
And, pointed out that as SINA has rightly stated that the issues at hand have been unresolved since 2019, re-emerged in 2025 and now have escalated into 2026 are of national interest to whichever government that is in power.
SICTU said the ruling government, regardless of the court’s pending decision, must treat these demands as urgent and non-negotiable.
The union raised that the prolonged failure to restore leadership and governance functions within the Nursing Cadre, which has reportedly been dragged on for nearly 12 months without firm solutions is nothing short of institutional negligence.
“The prolonged failure to restore leadership and governance functions within the Nursing Cadre dragging on for nearly 12 months without firm solutions coupled with the eight-year neglect of the outstanding log claims from the 2015 revised Scheme of Service, is nothing short of institutional negligence.
“SICTU shares SINA’s conviction that these obstructions reflect a deeply problematic leadership style within the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the Public Service Commission one that undervalues, mistreats, disrespects, and marginalizes nurses, who comprise over 60 percent of the health workforce and deliver more than 60 percent of the country’s healthcare services,” the statement said.
SICTU said this leadership deficiency is no longer a secret among health workers or the public and must be corrected immediately.
“SICTU therefore calls upon the Solomon Islands national government, through the Ministry of Public Service and the Public Service Commission, to cease finding fault with process and instead do the right thing within the remaining timeframe. Delay is no longer acceptable. The health of our nation depends on the fair treatment of those who safeguard it,” the statement said.
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