00:00The issue now facing nurses in Tobago has not escaped the attention of Trinidad and Tobago Registered Nurses Association, President
00:09Edie Stewart.
00:10Of which the association also wishes to express our concern.
00:17And they range from persons initially thinking they were being given permanency of employment.
00:26And a few of them got contract employment.
00:30Now, we do acknowledge a number of them did receive permanent employment.
00:35But a number of persons also who were promised permanent employment only they indeed did not receive those permanent appointment
00:47letters.
00:48Over 300 nurses were promised permanent employment last December during the ceremony at the Chopper Complex.
00:57Today, only a few have received such, with the majority of nurses being called into HR and told to sign
01:05three-year contracts.
01:06Some told TV6 News it appears to have been an election gimmick.
01:11We have actually asked for a meeting with the current CEO and we hope that he can clear up these
01:20concerns.
01:21That is really bothering our members.
01:23So we are awaiting notification of that meeting.
01:28Mr. Stewart said the situation is nothing short of an insult to Tobago nurses.
01:33Definitely, if the status quo remains the same, it would definitely be a grave insult to nursing and nursing personnel
01:42and indeed all RHA workers.
01:45Because I remind persons it was supposed to begin with nursing personnel and then extend to the remaining RHA workers.
01:53So all our other RHA workers are looking on with great interest to see how this pans out.
02:00TV6 News questioned Health Secretary Dr. Faith Brebner on the matter at the weekly media briefing.
02:07Relaying a different tune to last December, she is today saying the process towards permanent status of nursing personnel remains
02:15ongoing.
02:17That is a continual process.
02:19There are nurses who have been given letters indicating that the process has started.
02:25And even some of those nurses who you've spoken to, Liz, have contacted me and I've said to them, this
02:31is a continual process.
02:32So until you've actually gotten to the part where you are permanent, we need to keep covering you.
02:41So again, it started with some of the nurses.
02:44It's being rolled out continually.
02:46Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
